What does it mean to be blessed?

Answer

Quite possibly, the most frequently used word in a Christian’s vocabulary is “blessed.” Phrases like “Have a blessed day,” “blessed to be a blessing,” and “God bless you” are commonly used. It’s also common for non-believers to refer to themselves as “blessed.” Some people view “blessed” as a spiritual term for “good fortune,” signifying receiving something good, a desired outcome, or exceptional comfort. But what does it truly mean to be blessed?

The Greek word often translated as “blessed” is makarios, which means “fortunate,” “happy,” “enlarged,” or “lengthy.” Makarios is used in the Septuagint (a translation of the Old Testament into the Greek language) and the New Testament to describe the happiness that results from receiving favor from God. Therefore, the word can also be interpreted as “favored.” In the New Testament, it typically signifies being “blessed by God.” For instance, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was described as “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42-45, 48); it was the Lord God who had blessed and favored her.

While material blessings are undoubtedly part of God’s favor, the Bible assigns a much deeper meaning to the term “blessed.”

One of the most famous uses of the word “blessed” in the Bible is in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12;Luke 6:20-23). Jesus employed the term “blessed” in the context of the Beatitudes to portray the inner quality of a faithful servant of God. This blessedness represents a spiritual state of well-being and prosperity—a profound, joy-filled contentment that remains unshaken by poverty, grief, famine, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we encounter in life. From a human perspective, the scenarios depicted in the Beatitudes may not seem like blessings, but because God is present.With us through these challenging times, we are truly blessed by Him in them.

The genuine servant of God is blessed, irrespective of circumstances, as God has favored him or her with a fully satisfied soul (Psalm 63:1-5; John 4:14). The material possessions we desire can never bring true happiness or contentment. True fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2).

Since God first created humans, He has blessed them (Genesis 1:22; Genesis 5:2; Genesis 12:3) and has continued to do so throughout history (Genesis 26:3; Deuteronomy 7:13; Job 42:12; Judges 13:24). Through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, we can now receive the complete blessings of God through faith in Him: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We are blessed because our sins are forgiven and can no longer be counted against us (Psalm 32:1-2).

The Bible defines blessedness differently from how worldly people perceive it: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him. », (James 1:12). To those who rest in God, He grants an inner state of joy that is unaffected by external trials. What is this promised “crown of life?” It is the never-ending, victorious life in the world to come, where all trials will be ended. The marvelous blessings we experience now are minor compared to the benefits God has stored up for us in His eternal kingdom «But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love him. », (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The one who is blessed trusts in God’s love, no matter what: “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow— not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below— indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39;NLT).

Blessed speaks of our inner state of well-being, the prosperity of our souls in Christ. Blessedness comes from unhindered fellowship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus. To be blessed is to experience the full impact of God’s presence in our lives now and for all eternity.