Blessed to Be A Blessing

"...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Genesis 12:3b

When God called Abram (His name had not yet been changed through covenant to Abraham), God promised to make him a father of many nations. God promised that through Abram all nation will be blessed (or will bless themselves by association with Israel). Here's the promise from scripture.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen 12-1-3)

Obeying God leads to blessing. God called Abram to follow Him to a land He would show Abram. Abram left everything and followed God's leading. It wasn't easy. It was a difficult decision. Abram trusted the voice of the One who called. His heart desired to obey God more than to cling to his family. And because Abram followed God's leading, we are blessed with the knowledge of God through Israel and Israel's kingly line of David. We are blessed because through Moses and the prophets, through the obedience of Mary and Joseph, we know Jesus. And to know Jesus is to know God.

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9b)

John's gospel has two words that seem to come up constantly: Belief and Love. There are many other themes, but belief and love seem to be most prevalent. In fact John mentions them in his first letter. John writes extensively about how God is love and that those who profess to love God will also love the brothers and sisters in the church. If they have means to help a brother or sister in need and do not, how can the love of God be in them? John says that belief in Jesus as the Son of God brings us close to God such that God and His love abides in us and we in Him. (See 1st John 4:7-5:5)

Has God's love blessed your life? Have you felt the very real presence of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of God that come through Him? John says that to know God is to have life. To believe in Jesus is to have everlasting life. 

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

There's something about God's love in us that is unbeatable, undying, undiminishable. Love is everlasting. Love never fails. (1st Corinthians 13:8a) If we are truly in a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, we will know this love. And we will become a living expression of God's love.

We are blessed with the knowledge of God through countless saints who have desired to obey God's leading more than any other allegiance. Because they obeyed God, we are blessed. And as you obey God, you will be a blessing. God will bless all who come to Him in humble obedience and love. As Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

Jesus' commands are simple. They are all an expression of love. But love is more than a kindly  affection. God's love is exemplified in the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus laid down His life for us. If we love like Jesus, we live sacrificially, placing others above ourselves. Love focuses on the interests of others and not only upon oneself. When you begin living other-focused, God's love grows in you. Make it your ambition to grow in love more and more and you will distinguish yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ who is a blessing to the world.

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

Belief, leads to love. Love leads to blessing. Blessing from God makes you a blessing to the world. So trust in Christ. Be loved. Love others.