Awhile ago, my daughter asked me a very important question. She said; “Daddy, If I sin against God, would He still answer my prayers?” I took some deep breathe before answering her question. I wanted to give her the gospel balance so she can grow properly in the things of God. I responded; “Yes, God will still answer your prayers but…”
Friend, there is the gospel balance as far as the teaching on righteousness is concerned. I know a lot of people do not want to hear the word; “Balance” when we talk about Grace. But really, balance is what makes life to work. Balance is what brings safety. Balance is what brings the right profiting. Without balance, nothing will work.
The fact that God answers your prayers or blesses you does not mean that He approves of your life and behaviours (1 Kings 3:1-5). As a Christian, God answers your prayers not because of what you do but because of what Christ has done. He answers your prayers; protects you, provides for you, meets your needs etc., simply because He is a responsible Father (Matthew 7:7-11).
It is amazing that the period that you are not living up to God’s expectation or not living right is when you sometimes experience God’s blessings the most. You must not misunderstand this to think that; “If my life is not right with God, why am I blessed?” The purpose of God’s blessings is to draw us closer to Himself (Luke 5:1-11).
“O taste and see that the LORD is good…” (Psalms 34:8). Divine blessings are always a means to an end, not an end in themselves. God normally gives us a taste of His blessings so as to bring us into a state of His blessings (Matthew 11:28-30). All of God’s operations in our lives are for redemptive purposes and must culminate in repentance and intimacy. Anything short of this is an unbalanced gospel.
“I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be perfect” (Genesis 17:1). The goal is not blessing. The goal is intimacy (Genesis 15:1-3). The blessing should lead to intimacy. The love of God is meant to melt our hearts so we can desire more of Him (Romans 5:5, 8). As He works in us, He wants us to leverage that inner working for an outward manifestation of Christ-likeness (Romans 6:1, Philippians 2:12-13).
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria