Be a Blessing

By Benjamin H. Liles

          For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ~ 1 Peter 2:15-16

          I wonder some times if I fully understand how to bless others. It's not that I don't. I just wonder if I use my words right and well. Then there are times where I know I have blessed others, but what do my actions say? I talk a great deal about faith, how I live my life, how to avoid death and hell, God's gift of grace through Jesus the Messiah, and how much I enjoy encouraging others. But I often wonder am I truly helping others, like you--the reader, beominc and being more in the eyes of God.

          In a different version of the Bible, the writer of Proverbs says, "A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water" (11:25, Holman Christian Standard). I also like what Peter said to a man who was lame: "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" (Acts 3:6, Berean Study). Am I doing enough to feed and clothe others within my Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah?

          In Matthew, after Jesus came out from his wilderness experience is tempted, he tells the accuser, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3). If then the word of God is the bread of life for our weary soul, then it is this same word which refreshes and satiates us when we need drink too. His word sustains and fills us, and at the same time produces that "living water" (see John 4:14).

          So, what are some things we can do to be a blessing to others? To be a help to one another? I think it takes a willing heart to truly listen. I mean we have two ears and one mouth. If we take the time to shut our mouth and listen twice as much we can truly be a help. Also, we have two hands. If we see someone in need, such as a family needing food and you help at a food bank, give them food. In these ways we not only help, but at the same time we're doing exactly what the Lord commands: to love one another.

          This then is the full measure of what Jesus said about the law and the prophets being sunnarized, "Love God with your whole being; this is the first and greatest command. The second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37). Jesus the Messiah also says, "When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." (Matthew 6:3-4, the Message). The whole point is that in being a blessing, we're to do it because we enjoy doing it. It's not done for accolades, fame, or even prestige. It's done simply because we cherish others from the bottom of our hearts.

          Father, you are far more giving and wonderful than I ever could be. You blessed me and my life in ways I never could understand. You are holy when I am not. You are loving when I cannot. Thank You for the love you gave to and for me through Your Son, Jesus. He took upon Himself my sins. He took my punishment, which was mine to bear. I praise You for the life I have, which is found in and from Jesus. I ask that You help me to be more loving as You are, and to be a continual blessing to others. In Jesuis' name I pray. Amen.