“Let us cease laying down to the saints long lists of ‘conditions’ of entering into the blessed life in Christ; and instead, as the primal preparation for leading them into the experience of this life, show them what their position, possessions, and privileges in Christ already are. Thus shall we truly work with the Holy Spirit, and thus shall we have more, and much more abiding fruit of our labors among the people of God.” – Miles Stanford in The Green Letters
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It is far too common for church leaders to intimate that spiritual blessing is conditioned upon proper behavior. While statements like, “if you give of yourself more, you will experience blessing” or “service is the way to fellowship” are often well meant, they inadvertently damage a believers rest in the promises of God.
The only condition for receiving God’s blessing is to be in Christ. I am blessed because of my relationship with Jesus Christ and it is upon this relationship alone that blessing is conditioned.
Miles Stanford
I may not act as if I am blessed. I may not perceive that I am blessed. But if I am in Christ, I am blessed none-the-less. No-one can take that blessing away.
The problem is that I need to remember that this blessing is mine and live as though it is mine. As Miles Stanford states above, I have position in Christ, I have possessions in Christ and I have Privileges in Christ. If you are in Christ they are your blessings also.
We don’t need to earn these blessings; We could not earn them if we tried.We simply need to live as though they are ours.
Because they are.
Amen Mark. Great stuff. We(the church) need to start appropriating more what we have in Christ. We are victorious already. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing now we need to start living like it.
Thanks Kevin. But it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day mess and forget how blessed we are . . .
Well said, Sir. But we are truly blessed when we understand blessing means BRINGING pleasure and contentment. The more we bless others the more He blesses us. If our pleasure is in Him then it will pour out. If our contentment is in Him others will know it. To know God is to love Him. To Love Him is to trust Him. In the trust we obey. So blessings abide in the full package of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Underneath an old Library definition for Lord is the word “Keeper.” Not everyone who calls Him “Keeper”, “Keeper” will enter in.
Chris, thanks for the challenge. “to know God is to trust him” So, when I struggle to trust, perhaps it is because I don’t know him as well as I ought? This is worth reflecting on. Thanks for sharing it.