Topical Bible: The Blessed: Whom God Calls

◄ The Blessed: Whom God Calls ►

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of "the blessed" refers to those individuals whom God has chosen, favored, and set apart for His divine purposes. The blessed are recipients of God's grace, mercy, and promises, and their lives are marked by a unique relationship with the Creator. This entry explores the characteristics, roles, and significance of the blessed as depicted in Scripture.

Characteristics of the Blessed

1. Righteousness and Faithfulness: The blessed are often characterized by their righteousness and faithfulness to God. Psalm 1:1-2 states, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This passage highlights the blessed individual's commitment to God's law and moral integrity.

2. Trust in God: Trust in the Lord is a defining trait of the blessed. Jeremiah 17:7 declares, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." This trust is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated reliance on God's character and promises.

3. Humility and Meekness: The blessed are often described as humble and meek. In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). This humility is a recognition of one's dependence on God and a willingness to submit to His will.

Roles of the Blessed

1. Recipients of God's Promises: The blessed are recipients of God's covenantal promises. Abraham, for instance, is called blessed because of God's promise to make him a great nation and to bless all the families of the earth through him (Genesis 12:2-3).

2. Instruments of God's Will: The blessed often serve as instruments through whom God accomplishes His purposes. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is called blessed among women because she was chosen to bear the Savior (Luke 1:42).

3. Witnesses to God's Glory: The blessed are called to be witnesses to God's glory and to reflect His character to the world. In Matthew 5:14-16 , Jesus tells His disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Significance of the Blessed

1. A Reflection of God's Favor: The blessed are a testament to God's favor and grace. Their lives demonstrate the transformative power of God's love and the fulfillment of His promises.

2. A Call to Holiness: The blessed are called to live lives of holiness and obedience. Ephesians 1:3-4 states, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence."

3. A Source of Hope and Encouragement: The blessed serve as a source of hope and encouragement for believers. Their accounts remind us of God's faithfulness and the ultimate reward for those who remain steadfast in their faith.

In summary, the blessed are those whom God calls into a special relationship with Himself, marked by righteousness, trust, and humility. They are recipients of divine promises, instruments of God's will, and witnesses to His glory, reflecting His favor and calling others to a life of holiness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 19:9
And he said to me, Write, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ridiculous Interpretations of the Jews. Christians are the True ...
... inheritance.' [2428] Since then God blesses this people, and calls them Israel ... you
alone were the Israel, and of execrating the people whom God has blessed? ...
/.../chapter cxxiii ridiculous interpretations of the.htm

God who Appeared to Moses is Distinguished from God the Father.
... "Moses, then, the blessed and faithful ... He said, "No; but God appeared to him, before
the vision ... Then those three whom the Scripture calls men, were angels; two ...
/.../chapter lvi god who appeared to.htm

Effectual Calling
... The God whom we worship is holy, the work we are ... hope to arrive at is holy; all this
calls for holiness. ... to be the presence chamber of the blessed Trinity; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/effectual calling.htm

On the Church of God and of Christ: or on the Church in General ...
... a participation with both, they may be eternally blessed, to the ... the love of Christ
towards those whom he has ... resides in the mutual relation of God and Christ ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation l on the church.htm

The Love that Calls us Sons
... What John calls us to contemplate with wonder and ... the likeness of the creative Father;
and, blessed be His ... Are you trusting to Jesus Christ, whom God has sent ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the love that calls us.htm

Letter iii (AD 1131) to Bruno, Archbishop Elect of Cologne
... Blessed, indeed, is he unto whom the Lord will not impute sin (Psalm 32:2),
for who shall bring accusation against the elect of God? ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter iii a d 1131 to.htm

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... O blessed self-seeking that gave us a being and well ... God "calls things that are not,"
and makes them to be ... it is a greater wonder that man, whom God hath made so ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

The Temple of Wisdom
... There are many kinds of noble personages amid the blessed company of All Saints,
whom I might bid ... I might call on you to thank God for your fathers, and for ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon ii the temple of wisdom.htm

(On the Mysteries. Iii. )
... imparted to his brother the command of God, and made ... Of this the blessed Esaias
prophesying of old time said ... of your salvation, Christ Jesus, to whom be glory ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xxi on the mysteries.htm

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... world by the Lord Jesus Christ; by the blessed Spirit bring ... you may be able to say
so, may God grant, for ... of Jesus Christ, the dear Redeemer; to whom be glory ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm