Unmerited Blessings

He (God) destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Jesus Christ). In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:5-8a

The gain of the Christian is our elevation into becoming children of God; a position that we attained through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This sacrifice has guaranteed us the forgiveness of sins and liberation from the slavery of sin. Jesus Christ’s death accomplished our redemption and demonstrated the extent to which God was willing to go for us. The spiritual blessings from God are based not only on the sovereign election of the Father and the redemptive work of the Son but also on the seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

The beauty of it all is that no past efforts or works are required from us but for us to make ourselves available for the grace, step forth, repent and believe in Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 1:18-19 the Prophet wrote about God’s invitation to us saying “Come now, and let us reason together… Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”  Also Jesus Christ in Luke 15:11-32 used the story of “The Prodigal Son” to demonstrate God’s love for us and His willing/available arms that are ready to receive the penitent sinner.

We can work hard to earn or get something, but God’s blessing doesn’t depend on what we have or don’t have; it is not based on what we do, but it’s based on what Jesus has done. We can therefore live under God’s unmerited favour as Jesus has completed all the requirements in order for us to be blessed. He had borne ALL of our sins so we do not have to live under the curse but depend on God’s unmerited favour (grace). God’s unmerited favour is sure and not based on who we are but who Jesus is and what He has done.

Unfortunately, many still spurn this invitation to be part of the blessings that God has promised to Abraham and his descendants. God has promised Abraham in Genesis 19:2-3 that “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.” We are “the family of the earth”, the royal priesthood, the holy nation that shall be blessed. But first we have to believe in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him we become grafted into the vine (Jesus Christ) and would henceforth receive nourishment from Him. We have no business being somewhere else looking for crumbs when we are the sons of the Most High King. We cannot allow ourselves to be tossed about by every wave of doctrine or be deceived by agents of Satan that have nothing to offer us at the end of it all.

God’s love for us is intense and His desire is to gather all His sheep into one fold that He may care for them as the Good Shepherd. It will be foolhardy for us to abandon the call of such a loving Father, who has greatly blessed us and opt for fleeting things of the world that only bring momentary satisfaction and longtime sorrow.

Have a blessed week as you hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon

S. Igein Isemede.