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Pastor's Blog December 16, 2021

"View of God in Romans XLI"

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When you visit a friend or a relative, or perhaps arrive at a gathering for a celebration, do you feel extremely "blessed" by the event?  Or have you ever come to a social gathering "in the fullness of blessing," ready to bless others in attendance? 

The apostle Paul could claim this experience.  In Romans 15:29, Paul states, "I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ" (NASB).  Paul understood that he would be a recipient of Christ's blessing to him through other believers, and that Jesus would use Paul to bless those same believers. 

But how did Paul know any of this would happen?  Paul gives us the reason for his knowledge: the character of God and his blessings toward us.  Romans 15:30-33 explains, "Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.  Now the God of peace be with you all.  Amen" (NASB). 

According to Paul, God rescues us from those who would do us injury, makes our service to others acceptable, and gives us joy and rest with those who truly follow Jesus.  This is "the fullness of the blessing of Christ" - not that we are blessed with what we want, but that we are blessed by God with what we truly need.  God knows that we need rest, joy, acceptance, and deliverance, and he delights in giving us those blessings. 

But why does God do any of this?  Because it's in his character to bless us!  We are urged to strive together in prayer to God "by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit."  We are called upon to pray TO the Father BY Jesus and the Holy Spirit, so that we can access the blessings God has in store for us.  And the reason we can depend on God to bless us through Jesus and the Holy Spirit is because God is "the God of peace" - and that God will be with us through Jesus and the Holy Spirit! 

Friends, come together and pray in the fullness of being blessed and blessing others in Jesus.

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