Blessings of God

When we talk about blessings from God, many times we think in temporal terms.  The material things we receive by God's grace are certainly blessings, but they cannot compare with the priceless gifts God has given all who repent and trust in Him.  Our homes, cars, food, and jobs are blessings from God.  But all of these things will pass away.  Psalm 32:1 reveals King David's perspective concerning blessings from God:  "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

What a blessing it is to be free from the condemnation, guilt, shame, and damnation due to our sin!  No amount of silver or gold is enough to post bail to escape the eternal destruction that sin demands.  But God, who is rich in mercy, has sent Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world.  We are not forgiven because we are sorry, but because Jesus has satisfied the righteous requirements of God's justice through His shed blood.  2 Corinthians 5:17-21:  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Not only have Christians received the blessing of forgiveness of sins, but of reconciliation with God.  Because of sin, every human being is estranged from God.  Our sin makes us active enemies of God.  But God revealed His love to us that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.  God the Father made Jesus Christ the Son, who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  All who repent and rely upon Jesus are forgiven and have His righteousness imputed to us.  We are made co-heirs with Christ and made ambassadors on His behalf to those still in sin so they might hear and receive the word of reconciliation.

All the temporal "blessings" the world can provide cannot give us the peace, joy, and satisfaction of knowing God.  Jesus gives love which swallows all our fears, and we are given exceedingly great and precious promises out of the goodness of His grace.  What does it profit a man to gain the entire world and lose his own soul?  What a blessing it is to have assurance through God's Word and the testimony of the Holy Spirit that our souls are safe in Jesus Christ.  The entire world will pass away, but the Word of the LORD will endure forever.  Build on Christ, a foundation which cannot be moved!