Blessing by Association

Talk about an intense study... "The Doctrine of Blessing by Association" is one of those studies that puts life into perspective in so many ways. Getting the right balance is so important or you can really swing off into error. Jesus must be central and kept central in ever aspect of the far reaching implications of this doctrine because it is one of those studies that illuminates both the goodness and the severity of God.

It is very easy to see in the Hebrew scriptures how God would bless a person by grace, not merit, and then proceed to bless others in the progression of time based upon those former commitments He made. Abraham and David are that classic examples... how many people were blessed because of promises to those men?

Then, there is Israel as a nation. The clear Biblical trend is that blessing of nations is based upon treatment of Israel (if there is exposure and opportunity to interact with Israel.)

Then there is Christ who is the fountain of living waters and the source of all blessing. Abraham, David, Israel they are blessed because of the relationship to Christ in some way. We as individuals are greatly blessed by this association. This verse says it all:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Eph 1:3

That sounds amazingly good... and it is. There is a severe part... and that is in a sense the narrowness of it. There is this amazing blessing by association... but there is no substitute for specific associations. It is not multiple choice. Salvation is a perfect example:

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 NKJV

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jn 14:6

He is the door and if a person tries to get in any other way they are considered a robber. Robbers are not usually invited to tea if they are discovered.

If we get this part right then we win the whole thing. Without a doubt that association is the most important... but it doesn't end here.

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt 25:40

How we treat people reflects something about the true nature of our association to God. There is an important balance between:

"For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death." Matt 15:4

and...

"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matt 10:37

One doesn't negate the other. There is a clear irrevocable blessing for honoring parents in Ex 20:12 and other places in Proverbs.

There is "no substitute" for each individual in our lives. I see people suffer because of broken relationships... it makes me sad for them. They don't just suffer because of the problems that are related to that relationship. They suffer a "lack of blessing" because of being wrongly related to God about and through that relationship to a person. Ouch. People are literally stuck spiritually because a disagreement with God that still needs to be settled.

My late Pastor preached and taught strongly about these issues and it was part of why people were so polarized about him... they either loved him or hated him. They felt covered... or manipulated. Maybe they felt both. I see a man who over a long career saw the consequences of good and bad decisions people made and wanted to equip people. A man who was confident of the move of God going on in his life and ministry and wanted others to partake of those blessings. A man who lived the Bible to the best of his understanding.

As I go forward I see more and more "whys" of what I heard from the pulpit and the choices I often make about what to say and emphasize are ever before me. I sense the blessing of the association I have to men of God who have gone before and at the same time the polarization of it in my life. If grace is properly preached it should produce a degree of polarization. I would rather be "right" with God then with people. But, I would like it to be both if possible. I am going to live the Bible to the best of my understanding.

Right relation to God gives us access to having right relationships to others... and the avenues to be rightly related if at times we aren't. The covering of Love fills us with the humility and the courage we will need to face whatever lies ahead... whatever that may be. That grace is indeed amazing grace.

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