Blessing For Everyone, Or Just For Some?

Q

I would like to know if God’s favor, protection and blessing is only present in a person’s life when he/she is living according to His will. Or are these present for everyone who is saved, even though they are living outside of His will or in sin?

A

You’ve raised two issues here. The first is living out of God’s will and the second is living in a state of unconfessed sin. Although the two are not the same, the consequences are similar.

In Romans 8:28 the Lord had Paul tell us He’s working everything together for the good of those who love Him. The Greek word Paul used for love means the unconditional love of a person who is totally given over to the Lord. People who are living outside of God’s will, or who are living in a state of unconfessed sin, have given their own desires greater priority in their life than God’s will for them. Because of this I don’t believe they can expect the same level of blessing as those who place God’s will first.

God will not over ride our sovereignty, so if we decide to go our own way, or justify our sinful behavior, He will step back and allow us to experience the consequences of our choices. I think this is the main reason why so many Christians live defeated lives.

In 1 Cor. 3:10-15 Paul explained that believers who live this way cannot lose their salvation, but he continually urged us to live our lives in a manner that’s pleasing to God. He said we should do this out of gratitude for the mercy God has shown us (Romans 12:1) but there are many verses that promise blessings for doing so, both in this world and the next one. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)