thevirtuesofblessing

The Five Virtues of Blessing

1 Peter 3:8-12

Today I want to talk about the virtues of blessing. Too often we restrict our thinking about blessing to the physical realm. And when we do expand it, we really can not explain what we mean. We may say " John you're a real blessing" but not be able to really say why. Today i will shed some light on the subject so you can tell someone why they are a blessing. These people will display one or more of these virtues.

While these are not the only virtues of blesing, they are the foundation for it. I also want to clarify that it is the blessing that flows through our lives that supports the good that we do, not the good we do supporting the blessing. The more grounded we are in Christ, the greater the blessing There are so many facets to blessing it is easy to become confused.

Let me start by giving you some scripture to make the point clear: In Genesis 12:2 Jehovah God tells Abraham that he will be made a blessing. When we look at verse one God said "Go!, leave your family, your country, your friends." Obedience predeeds blessing. We also see that what God has blessed no man can curse. If he tries he will be cursed! In other references obedience is the key factor in blessing.

So what are the virtues of blessing?

1} Be of one mind

2} Be compassionate

3} Loving as brothers

4} Be tenderhearted

5} Be courteous

Now let's look at each one of these to see how they work.

What does it mean to be of one mind? Being unified in thought. Romans 12:16 says "be of the same mind...." The idea is everyone thinking alike. People who do think alike often speak for one another without thinking about it. When we are of one mind we are a strong unit. the long standing term we use in this country is "United We Stand- Divided we fall!" I still see signs that say "United we Stand." referring to the attack on New York September 11th 2001. As believers we are one body, with one mind--strong as strong can be.

Next, let's look at compassion. What is it? compassion is a form of sympathy for what someone is going through. It can also be characterized as an understanding of the problem. In its simplest form it's feeling someone else's pain. There is a ddiference between sympathy and empathy. Empathy is understanding without the emotional tie. This unfortunately is what most Christians mistake for sympathy. Evidenced by actions such as giving money instead of geting involved. True compassion means getting involved and getting dirty in the Lord's work.

Now let's look at loving as brothers. I nevert had brothers or sisters growing up but I did have friends who did. The one thing I noticed about their relationships was how they stuck together. The saying "blood is thicker than water" is true. No matter what kind of squabbles pop up they defend each other. They stick together! I have had friends like that and been a friend like that. As believers we are brothers and sisters. As such, we must stick together. NO MATTER WHAT! Brothers and sisters look out for each other. They do for each other.

Next is tenderheartedness. To be tender hearted is to put compassion to work. When you know a brother is weak in an area or is struggling with something you apply understanding and help the personm to get through it and become strong. In Isaiah 42:3 the prophet says that the Lord will not break a bruised reed, nor smoldering flax quench. In Romans 14 Paul tells us not to make a weaker brother stumble or fall. Jesus said it would be better to have a hunk of concrete tied around our necks than to cause someone to stumble or fall. Not a good thing to do.

I remember a time when I was going through a rough time. The pastor of the church I was working in and I ended up on opposite sides of some issues. {Two very strong willed people.} In the process I lost everything I had. When we finally resolve the issues, he, along with others, were tenderhearted towards me. They worked to rebuild the strength I had lost. Remember this: To be tenderhearted is to put compassion to work. A tender heart is compassion at work.

The final virtue is being courteous. What is courtesy? It is having respect for one another. It involves releasing what we believe to be a right to let someone else have a chance to do something. Courtesy always produces life! We can be be courteous without giving away our rights, but it will always involve our willingness to do so. It's the thing that makes a marriage work. It's the fuel behind a good friendship. It's a give and take lifestyle.

Courtesy is something that seems to escape many Christians I have seen some who go to the exteme of being so syrupy that it turns the stomach. I have also seen others lack so much courtesy that tyhey are bitter, brittle, and hard. Either way that's not how the spirit leads.

In order to see the blessing flow through our lives we must consistenly practice these five virtues:

1} Be of one mind

2} Be compassionate

3} Loving as brothers

4} Be tenderhearted

5} Be courteous

As I said in the beginning these are only part of the story. But as we practice these we will become a consistent blessing to all around us.

Be Outrageously Blessed!

Pastor Earl

Email: Soaring Eagle Ministries

Be Outrageously Blessed!

Pastor Earl

Last updated February 20, 2004



	*The Five Virtues of Blessing* 1 Peter 3:8-12 Today I want to talk about the virtues of blessing. Too often we restrict our thinking about blessing to the physical realm. And when we do expand it, we really can not explain what we mean. We may say " John you're a real blessing" but not be able to really say why. Today i will shed some light on the subject so you can tell someone why they are a blessing. These people will display one or more of these virtues. While these are not the only virtues of blesing, they are the foundation for it. I also want to clarify that it is the blessing that flows through our lives that supports the good that we do, not the good we do supporting the blessing. The more grounded we are in Christ, the greater the blessing There are so many facets to blessing it is easy to become confused. Let me start by giving you some scripture to make the point clear: In Genesis 12:2 Jehovah God tells Abraham that he will be made a blessing. When we look at verse one God said "Go!, leave your family, your country, your friends." Obedience predeeds blessing. We also see that what God has blessed no man can curse. If he tries he will be cursed! In other references obedience is the key factor in blessing. So what are the virtues of blessing? 1} Be of one mind 2} Be compassionate 3} Loving as brothers 4} Be tenderhearted 5} Be courteous Now let's look at each one of these to see how they work. What does it mean to be of one mind? Being unified in thought. Romans 12:16 says "be of the same mind...." The idea is everyone thinking alike. People who do think alike often speak for one another without thinking about it. When we are of one mind we are a strong unit. the long standing term we use in this country is "United We Stand- Divided we fall!" I still see signs that say "United we Stand." referring to the attack on New York September 11th 2001. As believers we are one body, with one mind--strong as strong can be. Next, let's look at compassion. What is it? compassion is a form of sympathy for what someone is going through. It can also be characterized as an understanding of the problem. In its simplest form it's feeling someone else's pain. There is a ddiference between sympathy and empathy. Empathy is understanding without the emotional tie. This unfortunately is what most Christians mistake for sympathy. Evidenced by actions such as giving money instead of geting involved. True compassion means getting involved and getting dirty in the Lord's work. Now let's look at loving as brothers. I nevert had brothers or sisters growing up but I did have friends who did. The one thing I noticed about their relationships was how they stuck together. The saying "blood is thicker than water" is true. No matter what kind of squabbles pop up they defend each other. They stick together! I have had friends like that and been a friend like that. As believers we are brothers and sisters. As such, we must stick together. NO MATTER WHAT! Brothers and sisters look out for each other. They do for each other. Next is tenderheartedness. To be tender hearted is to put compassion to work. When you know a brother is weak in an area or is struggling with something you apply understanding and help the personm to get through it and become strong. In Isaiah 42:3 the prophet says that the Lord will not break a bruised reed, nor smoldering flax quench. In Romans 14 Paul tells us not to make a weaker brother stumble or fall. Jesus said it would be better to have a hunk of concrete tied around our necks than to cause someone to stumble or fall. Not a good thing to do. I remember a time when I was going through a rough time. The pastor of the church I was working in and I ended up on opposite sides of some issues. {Two very strong willed people.} In the process I lost everything I had. When we finally resolve the issues, he, along with others, were tenderhearted towards me. They worked to rebuild the strength I had lost. Remember this: To be tenderhearted is to put compassion to work. A tender heart is compassion at work. The final virtue is being courteous. What is courtesy? It is having respect for one another. It involves releasing what we believe to be a right to let someone else have a chance to do something. Courtesy always produces life! We can be be courteous without giving away our rights, but it will always involve our willingness to do so. It's the thing that makes a marriage work. It's the fuel behind a good friendship. It's a give and take lifestyle. Courtesy is something that seems to escape many Christians I have seen some who go to the exteme of being so syrupy that it turns the stomach. I have also seen others lack so much courtesy that tyhey are bitter, brittle, and hard. Either way that's not how the spirit leads. In order to see the blessing flow through our lives we must consistenly practice these five virtues: 1} Be of one mind 2} Be compassionate 3} Loving as brothers 4} Be tenderhearted 5} Be courteous As I said in the beginning these are only part of the story. But as we practice these we will become a consistent blessing to all around us. Be Outrageously Blessed! Pastor Earl *Email:* Soaring Eagle Ministries Be Outrageously Blessed! Pastor Earl Last updated February 20, 2004