The Blessings of Obedience?

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JTB.SDG

Puritan Board Junior
Guys,

Here is a question for you. I don't want this to become divisive, but want to understand these things. On ONE HAND: you have Scriptures such as Ephesians 1 that tell us that believers have been blessed (already) with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ. Romans 4:6 tells us that the blessing of God rests (IE, doesn't come and go) on those who have been justified. Galatians 3 tells us that believers are blessed with Abraham, and that Christ became a curse in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles. Psalm 1 describes the man who has been blessed by God (not why he is blessed but who it is who is blessed). Jesus likewise in Matthew 5 lists out the characteristics of those who are blessed--IE--those who show themselves to belong to Christ. In short, Scripture would teach us through these and many other Scriptures, that believers ARE blessed, that this blessing is a position that is secure and cannot change (just as our justification); and that this blessing is already poured out upon us in Christ to the fullest extant (Ephesians 1).

On the OTHER hand. You have Scriptures such as, in the context of Jesus calling his disciples to follow his example: "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." (John 13). You have Paul reminding the Ephesian elders that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20). Deuteronomy seems to point us to the same principle with that common refrain to obey what the Lord was revealing "in order that it might be well with you" (5:29, 33; 6:3; etc). Scriptures could be multiplied for this side as well.

How do you guys understand the tension?

One way of resolving the tension: COULD it be, that we could say that we have to distinguish between what we mean when we use the word "blessing"? Do we need better clarity here? Do we need to ask, "In what sense are you referring to 'blessing'?" And could we say the following: that the FIRST set of Scriptures would speak of something we might call EXISTENTIAL blessing--the blessings of salvation that never wane or change; while the SECOND set of Scriptures would speak of something we might refer to ask EXPERIENTIAL blessings--the level of enjoyment we actually experience day to day OF THOSE EXISTENTIAL BLESSINGS that seems to come and go? IE: there's more joy when we serve and give of ourselves, in that sense, theres more blessing--but this is EXPERIENTIAL blessing; whereas whether we feel near or distant, kindled or cold, the EXISTENTIAL blessing of God remains upon us as believers forever and is never changing?

Is this a fair way to think about these things?
Have any Reformed theologians tried to classify these different nuances of "blessing"?

Thanks,

JB
 
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That's an interesting question, Jon. I like some of the distinctions you make. Perhaps we could add that in these last days there is always both a now and a not yet aspect to many parts of the Christian life. And of course, the fact is that we are sometimes rather slow to go up and possess the inheritance we have been given. We don't always take advantage of the things which, in principle, we have a right to.
 
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