Romans 15:29
I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. (ESV)
We love the idea of the word, "blessing." There is not a person on earth that does not want to receive some sort of blessing. In many churches today it is preached that if you do good, if you obey God, if you are a good rule follower, God will be obligated to bless you. In fact, they quite often refer primarily to financial blessings. This helps these churches to have controlled people who keep coming back hoping for money.
Is that what the Apostle Paul has in mind when he talks about blessing? I hardly think so. Paul was one who knew what it was like to suffer. In his second letter to the church at Corinth he recounts all of the times he has been "blessed" with beatings, being stoned, shipwrecked, on the run from danger, without food, without clothing, and even being stressed about how the churches are doing whom he cared for.
The blessing that the Apostle Paul refers to is one that we all can have. It is not a big bag of money. It is not a promise that you will have no problems in life. Rather, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3). These spiritual blessings are far superior to earthly blessings of health and wealth. They are eternal.
Paul had something to share with the church at Rome because of the fullness of the blessing of Christ. Paul would come to Rome in chains. He would eventually be put to death there. Earthly blessings eluded Paul. What was most important were the spiritual blessings that he had in Christ Jesus. These blessings got him through the very worst of times and were a strength to him in his ministry.
Can you say with the Apostle Paul that you have the fullness of the blessing of Christ? It is for all who simply place their faith in Christ Jesus, repenting of sin. Don't seek earthly blessings. Receive eternal blessing simply by faith in Christ alone.
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