“Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
that you may inherit a blessing
“That” – result clause. The result of blessing those who revile us is that we receive a blessing.
“Inherit” – actually inherits, obtain by inheritance. Some people can receive an inheritance but receive nothing in that inheritance. God gives content in his inheritance. We must do something to obtain this blessing – operate on God’s viewpoint about retaliation.
“Blessing” means to speak well of someone. This is not the blessing of privilege. God called us to inherit his blessing. This should encourage us, in turn, to bless others. God calls on us to bless others because he blessed us by his call. We receive blessing from God for the way we react to abuse.
PRINCIPLE:
God blesses those who bless others.
APPLICATION:
God blesses us based on his character, not on our character. This puts all in the same boat because our blessing precludes merit. God does not bless us because of our good; he blesses us because of his good. He blesses us because of who he is and what he has done for us. Blessing, therefore, depends on the character of God.
We share God’s blessing of grace when we “know” this; we know we were called to this. We cannot earn or deserve God’s blessing. Blessing depends on our knowledge of God and his provisions in grace for us. Understanding this grace blesses us. Retaliation deprives us of God’s blessing, and we get in line for the woodshed.
The Christian who blesses others does so based on his blessing from God. This is why he can rise above retaliation. The maturity of his character transcends motley little resentments people may have toward him. God blesses him because of this.
