God came to Abram as recorded in Genesis 12 and made a covenant with him:
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
This covenant is reiterated to Abram several times over the years. He promised blessings of presence, protection, a place, a great name and nation. The story of the people of Israel following these promises is of God providing, caring, blessing, and protecting his people. My paraphrase is that God promised his presence, love, and provision–”I’ll be your God and give you everything you need.” At the end of this intial expression of the covenant, God declared “and all people on earth will be blessed through you”.
This summer we have been exploring “means of grace” at our Thursday Night Overflow. We have discussed how to put ourselves in a position to receive God’s grace and work in our lives. His covenant with us through Jesus Christ is that he forgives, loves, and accepts us by grace through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a gift freely given, much like God’s covenant to Abraham. In fact, 2 Corinthians proclaims “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 1:20.
In Christ, the call/promise still remains on we Christians as Covenant people–”and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” As we learn and grow in “means of grace” or spiritual disciplines, we practice them in order to know God better, experience his grace and transformation, and grow in faith. The fruit of this growth in our lives is that we would be a blessing to others. Faith and grace works and transforms us to be in ministry to the world. We are called to share our faith with others. We are called to love those around us. We are called to advocate for the poverty stricken and oppressed in the world. Be blessed through your experience of grace through Jesus Christ. Take action today to be a blessing to others.