October 18, the greater blessings

Blessed are you.

Matthew 5:11.

The blessed life.  Is this the same as a successful life? A good life? A prosperous life?  

A brief look at Facebook and Twitter reveals how many people truly view themselves as “blessed.”  A great family. A fulfilling job.  Personal health.  All such references indicate that we need not look far to understand that we are indeed blessed.  But can we look a bit deeper into the idea of the blessed life - past personal benefits and the common things we call good? 

As a Christian, do we fully understand our deepest identity as one who is truly blessed?  Can we look past those achievements in life, and those tangible blessings for which we are so deeply grateful?  And can we take a deeper look at the blessed life of a follower of Jesus?  

It has become my experience that most of what we call blessings, especially after perusing social media’s commentary, are temporary blessings.  Such blessings are seen as valuable and they evoke genuine gratitude but can be lost in this life.  However, deep and abiding spiritual blessings are received in this life and continue through all eternity. These are the blessings we need to more fully embrace.     

The English Standard Version of the Bible cites as many as 112 references in the New Testament where the term “blessed” or “bless” is interpreted, and none of these references infer the idea of affluence.  The most familiar examples are found in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 Blessed are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

 Blessed are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

 Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

 Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

 Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

(Matthew 5:3-11)

The Greek terminology translated from these references of "blessed", makarioi, defines a life under God’s favor (His spiritual benefits) despite circumstances.  The above verses prove that the greatest blessings of following Jesus come as God’s favor over our lives.  We are not promised health and prosperity in this life, nor are we promised the successes like that which the world craves.  But through faith in Christ, we are brought under God’s favor.  We have His forgiveness, we are redeemed from sin’s grasp, we are placed in fellowship with God Himself, we have the presence of His Holy Spirit within us, we are filled with His abundant life, and we have been fully adopted as His children.  We are indeed favored by His love and by His infinite grace and mercy. 

I am sure most Christians are aware of many of our spiritual blessings in Christ.  But the challenge today is not to simply be aware. The challenge is to truly live as one who is spiritually and eternally blessed.  

Do not become trapped in aspirations for blessings in this life only.  But do thank God for your blessings. I know that I have many blessings, and I am indeed grateful, for God is so good.  But I dare not prioritize the temporary blessings, thus forgetting the eternal blessings we have through our union with Jesus Christ.  

So today, we are called to live blessed.  Because we are indeed.  See your blessings in Christ and rejoice.  

Live blessed!