Who deserves to be blessed?

It's been more than a week and I was actually away from a computer for 5 days... it was pretty relaxing, although I feel a little out of touch.  I've been thinking a lot about receiving from the Lord—His love and His blessings—which leads me to the discussion of receiving by faith.

"I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law?  Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ." Galatians 3:5 NLT

I promise, this is not law-bashing, as the bible states that there is "no conflict between the law and God's promises."  The law has a purpose in that it:

• points us to Christ by exposing our sinful state
• restrains evil in society through punishment
• serves as a guide to godly behavior in daily life

Paul is emphatic about placing faith in Christ alone, however, and not in anything we do—right or wrong.  Through Him we obtain both salvation and blessings we know we don't deserve... that is what makes it so incredible!  If you and I could earn them, then Jesus died for no reason.  Instead, God graciously gives us the Spirit with all of its fruits (Gal 5:22) and gifts (1 Cor 12), and He works miracles in our midst with His mighty power.

Remember that you have received God's greatest blessing of salvation by faith.  We must trust in the perfect work of Jesus in order to receive His salvation.  It is His goodness, not ours.

Perhaps that is why the inexplicable sometimes happens.  We hear of someone being blessed that we think doesn't deserve it, or conversely, someone we feel quite deserving gets overlooked.  When trying to figure out the reason, we don't exactly have all the information, do we?  Instead of judging we should celebrate the grace of God.

When I start over tomorrow, in my waking breath I will declare that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and all of His blessings are mine not because of anything I've done, but because I have been adopted into His family becoming an heir with Christ.  I will declare my trust in Him and His lovingkindness toward me knowing He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me.  I will thank Him for providing my every need (whether or not I see it) because that is what I believe He wants me to do.  I will believe by faith, which is not confined to what I can see, hear and touch.