"What then has become of the blessing you felt?.." Gal. 4:15
Christians are a blessed people, the most blessed people. It is common to hear blessing and happiness mentioned together but usually only to make known the distinct difference between the two: blessing or blessedness being something eternal while happiness being something momentarily or inconsequential, although the same word is often used interchangeably in the NT. While I do believe there is a difference between the two, as understood by our culture, I think Christians should be very careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Here in Galatians Paul is reminding them of the blessing they felt, yes felt, and what had become of it. If you have read Galatians you will know this whole book is about a people who are being tempted to fall back into the law, a legalistic view of salvation (a salvation dependent on your efforts and own merit). And one of the consequences of this as perceived by Paul? A lack of felt blessing.
Be reminded of grace today. For the sake of Christ and the gospel put your faith in Him alone. Let us be careful not to fall into a security based on our efforts but based on Jesus' alone. What a blessing!
Thanks for including me in your notification list. I look forward to more comments. I take it from your blog that it's OK to feel blessed? A good point: faith is never just an intellectual exercise but encompasses our entire being, all that God has created in us and endowed us with. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . ." Thanks. Bill Rosser
ReplyDeleteYes, it is more than ok to feel blessed (happy)! My position is that it may be an indication of where our faith is. In our efforts, or Christs? There are a few different words used for 'blessed'...but one is distinctly synonomous with 'happy'. Happy are the poor in spirit!
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