"God blesses you": Who and How?

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love,a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit..."
1 Peter 3:8-18(EVS)

We often say and hear the words, "God bless you", but what do we really mean? The Scriptures give us several pictures of those whom God blesses. The Psalmist describes the blessed man as someone "who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but (whose) delight is in the law of the LORD (on which) he meditates day and night" (Ps 1:1-2). The prophet Jeremiah teaches that the blessed man is one "who trusts in the LORD" (Jer 17:7)

The Lord Jesus gives the divine perspective of blessedness in His preface to the Sermon on the Mount with such "beatitudes" as humility, holiness, harmony and hope (Matt 5:1-12)

In today's passage, the apostle Peter echoes his Master in describing those whom God blesses, and who bless others. He was writing to Christians in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) who faced severe trials and persecution in the first century.

Those whom God blesses are first, those who receive and reflect the Christ-like graces of humility, compassion, sympathy and harmony in attitudes, behaviour and character (1 Peter 3:8)

Second, God's favour is on those who return blessing when evil is done to them (1 Peter 3:9-14). It has been said that when we return good for good, or evil for evil, we are being human; when we return evil for good, we are being devilish; when we return good for evil, we are being Christ-like. Peter himself earlier wrote of Christ's own example, "When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:23)

Third, God's blessing is on those who reverence Christ as Lord in their hearts and their witness (1 Peter 3:15). Only when He takes first place in our hearts and minds can we experience blessing upon blessing, especially in the midst of trials nad tribulations. This is because He enables us, in such circumstances, to experience the fruits of His Sacrifice and the fellowship of His suffereings (1 Peter 3:18, 4:1-2, 12-16).

Finally, God's blessings flow through His children who respond graciously to those who question them about thir hope and faith, while keeping a good conscience, and showing genuine concern for others (1 Peter 3:16-17).

~Taken from "Take up your cross devotion 2009".