God’s Road Map to a Life of Blessing

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8a

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…”  Matthew 7:12a

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Matthew 7:1-2

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33

I have come to think of these verses as my road map.  Familiar verses, but when taken altogether, they paint a pretty clear principle of the kingdom of God:  fairness, equality, and accountability.  For me, they’re almost so familiar that I’ve taken them for granted.  But God doesn’t have to be fair — He’s God!  He could’ve said, “Draw near to me or you will die.”  “Do unto others or else…”  But true to His character, He seeks ways to bless us.  “I want to draw near to you, here’s how we can do that.”  “I want others to treat you well, here’s how to make that happen.”  Wow, what a God!

But when I look a little deeper, another one of God’s principles is revealed:  We have free will.  While this is not an earth-shattering revelation (Adam and Eve had free will), it shows that with our free will comes responsibility.  The ball is in our court.   If we want the blessings God has to offer, we must align our thinking and actions with His principles.  I can’t act like everyone else and be blessed by God just because I prayed the sinner’s prayer of conversion years ago.  I’ve entered into a reciprocal relationship in which how I act or react has significant impact on the quality of my life.

The beauty of these promises is that they provide a clear and easy to remember roadmap to the life and blessings God wants to give me.  Do I want to be closer to God?  Then I will draw close to Him.  Do I want to be treated well by others?  Then I’ll treat others well.  Do I want to prevent others from judging me?  Then I won’t judge.  Do I want to ensure Yeshua acknowledges me as His child before God?  Then I will acknowledge Him before men.

It seems so simple, yet puts the responsibility squarely in my court.  It’s always my turn to act.  Do I feel God is far away from me?  Do I notice others judging me or mistreating me?  These are all things I can take responsibility for changing.  But I don’t need to limit myself to these things.  What am I lacking?  This principle says act first, then it shall be returned to me.  This is God’s road map to provide me a life of blessing.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38