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Christians Receive Greater Blessings

Writer's picture: La Vernia Church of ChristLa Vernia Church of Christ

Updated: Nov 21, 2024

Written by Wayne Robbins


True or False “Only Christians receive blessings from God?” We read in Matthew 5:45 “…for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Are the sun and rain a blessing to even those who are unbelievers and atheists? Merriam-Webster's definition of “blessing” contains these words, “a thing conducive to happiness or welfare” The sun and the rain, without doubt, is conducive to the happiness and welfare of everyone, including the non-Christian. It is therefore false that only Christians receive blessings from God. Acts 14:17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." Rain is a good thing and it is provided to us by the Creator. All of mankind, Christian and non-Christian benefit from the good that the Creator provides.


Even though it is clear that all of God's creation receives blessings from Him, it is also clear that only Christians receive certain spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”. Notice that spiritual blessings are in Christ. How do I get into Christ so that I can receive spiritual blessings? Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. A proper baptism puts us into Christ. Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? One who has not had a proper baptism is therefore not in Christ. Those outside of Christ may still receive physical blessings such as sun and rain. They will not receive the spiritual blessings such as God's grace, mercy, and answered prayers. Yes, God's grace and mercy are available to all. Not everyone will receive the benefits of God's grace and mercy. Those who will receive the spiritual benefits of God's grace and mercy are those who are obedient to God's plan of redemption. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.


It is a spiritual blessing for God to hear and answer our prayers.1 Peter 3:12 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." James 5:16 “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” You cannot be a righteous man if you refuse to turn your life over to Jesus Christ. What prompted the blind man, who had been healed, to say these words “John 9:31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.” It is highly possible that this man had heard the words of Isaiah. Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. (2) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” God is all-knowing and all-powerful, so He has the ability to hear every prayer ever uttered. We must be seeking God and His righteousness in order for Him to hear and act favorably towards our prayers. When a man prays, before entering into Christ through baptism, God is able to see his heart and know whether he is sincerely seeking a right relationship. In Acts chapter 10 we read of a man named Cornelius who feared God. This man had not yet become a Christian. His prayers were heard by God because his heart was seen by God. Once Cornelius was presented with the truth of the Gospel, we read in Acts 10:48 that he was baptized, therefore entering into Christ. For those today who are outside of Christ, but truly seeking a relationship with God, He is all powerful and can hear those prayers. When that person is presented with the truth, and they refuse to obey God's word, they do not receive the spiritual blessings of having their prayers acted upon by God.

One of the greatest spiritual blessings that we can receive is that of entering into the family of God and becoming a child of God. John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” That spiritual blessing will never come to the unbelieving non-Christian.


We will all one day take our last breath. Do you want to receive the benefits of God's grace and mercy? You must first get into Christ where you will find an abundance of spiritual blessings reserved only for the christian. Do you want to pray to God and have Him answer favorably? Get into Christ through baptism and remain righteous. “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that washes away our sins. Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,". Water baptism is God's way of putting a believer in contact with the blood of Christ so that we can have eternal salvation. It is at this point that we receive all spiritual blessings in Christ. Christians do truly receive greater blessings!


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