How Does God Desire to Bless our Lives?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 (KJV)
This is the second of six vital questions concerning the Christian life. In this column, we will talk about God’s love for us and His desire to bless our lives when we are in Jesus Christ.
When Satan hassles you concerning God’s love, look at the cross where God displayed how much He loves you. Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 5 that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly: “For a good person one might die. But God showed His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly” (paraphrase, verses 7-8).
John wrote, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10, KJV).
Jesus tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).
How Much More?
If you are prone to question or doubt God’s love for you, all you have to do is look at the cross, and there you see the demonstration. Paul tells us in Romans 8:32 that God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all. How much more then shall He freely give to us, His children, all things? Paul’s argument goes from the greater to the lesser: If God has already given us the greatest gift He could possibly give—His Son (the greater)—anything you might need is nothing compared to His willingness to give (the lesser).
Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11, KJV). Jesus turns it around: “You fathers (being the lesser) delight to give good things to your children; how much more will your heavenly Father (being the greater) give good gifts unto His children who ask Him?”
We can’t easily comprehend this manner of love. We tend to come hesitantly to God and say, “Well, Lord, I know it’s an awful lot to ask, and I even hesitate asking, Lord, but would You possibly consider …?” We think that we’re asking for some big thing when, in reality, God has already promised, “I love you so much that I’m willing to give My best for you.” You don’t have to beg God or try to persuade Him. All of your needs today are minor to what God has already demonstrated in His willingness to give to you.
In Christ Jesus
Think of what you need right now from God. In your own life and situations, what is it that you desire from God? Remember this—God has demonstrated His willingness to give you whatever you need. Your need right now pales in comparison with what God has already given you by giving His only begotten Son.
When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he opened the letter with thanksgiving to God for the blessings that God had already given him. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3, KJV).
The key words are “in Christ.” All the blessings and gifts God has for you come to you through Jesus Christ—in Him, by Him—it’s all in Christ.
In verses 4-11 of Ephesians Chapter 1, Paul lists those spiritual blessings that God has bestowed upon us: We are chosen in Him. God adopts us as His children. We are accepted in The Beloved. We have redemption through His blood, in whom we have obtained an inheritance. All of these things—being chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, given an inheritance—are all in, by, and through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, what we need is more of Jesus! We used to sing, “I want more of Jesus, more and more and more. I want more of Jesus than I ever had before.” How true this is. If you have Jesus, you have it all. It’s all wrapped up in Him, through Him, and by Him.
When I think of all the wonderful things God has given me, I realize that God has given to me His only begotten Son, and through Jesus, all these other spiritual blessings have become available.
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Follow this series of teachings by Pastor Chuck on the 6 Vital Questions of Life as posed by Paul in Romans 8.
• Six Vital Questions of Life—Part 1:If God is for us, who can be against us?
Originally published in print Issues 31 thru 36 of Calvary Chapel Magazine
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Sponsor Message:Calvary Bible Instituteis a one-year program designed to equip those who are called to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. Visit CBI's website to learn more about their programs atcalvarybi.com
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