Scripture is full of declarations of the blessings that we receive from God, especially through Jesus Christ. One instance of such a declaration may be found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, when he writes about how we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing”—chosen to be holy and blameless in love, adopted to be God’s children, redeemed and forgiven of our sins (Ephesians 1.3-10). And there is so much more.
How do we respond to our generous God for such overflowing blessings? Of course, it starts with praise (Ephesians 1.3) and thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9.15). We acknowledge the source of all our blessings, and we express our gratitude to him in our humble worship. We celebrate his goodness toward us. We even testify to his great and gracious works, letting others know just how good a heavenly Father he is.
Yet, there are more ways to respond to God’s blessings. In fact, the Lord never intended for us just to be recipients or receptacles of his blessings. He also wants us to be channels of his blessings. We are entrusted with his blessings that we may also share it with others. We are to use what we have been blessed with in a manner that others may also be blessed through us. We are saved to serve; we are blessed to bless.
Paul urges us to offer our bodies as “a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God.” This is our “reasonable service” in light of the fact that we are recipients of his blessings (Romans 12.1 NET). The rest of the passage (Romans 12.3-21) offers examples of how this reasonable service looks like. I describe it as “blessing received, blessing shared.” Paul says the same thing in his letter to the Corinthians: “To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all” (1 Corinthians 12.7 NET). Here, the emphasis is on the blessing of certain abilities (commonly designated as spiritual gifts), which are to be used to bless others.
Other passages may not be so obvious. But the same principle may be discerned. Consider the following: “Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive” (Colossians 3.13 HCSB). That is, you have received the blessing of forgiveness from God. What is the best way to express your gratitude to God and offer him reasonable service? Pass on the blessing to others by forgiving them too. And here’s another: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NIV). Receive comfort; offer comfort.
You are blessed to bless. Anyone you can bless today?
—Keith Y. Jainga