The Favor of God!!

'God loves everyone the same, but he favors some more than others.'  This was my Facebook status today and it has generated a few responses which is great!  It is rather an offensive thought to many Christians, since we are culturally preconditioned towards 'sameness'. The church has been molded to fit this ideal which is actually contrary to God's plan for the body of Christ.

It seems wrong to say that God would choose favorites.  In fact Romans 2:11 says that God does not choose favorites; however, it is clear that this passage is talking about favoritism in terms of ethnicity and/or social status. But scripture reveals that God does show his favor in different ways.  We will look at two of those ways; 1. Reward for good works and 2. Spiritual Anointing.

I have a friend who was given a diamond from the Lord just a couple days ago. I have heard testimonies about this happening but have never seen it myself. When she showed it to me I was still skeptical but we were able to cut glass with it and it had so many facets.  She ended up getting it appraised, and the jeweler said it was a perfect 4 carat diamond! He offered her $45,000 dollars on the spot, we later found out it was worth more than $200,000!!  This strange phenomenon, although I personally think should be happening more regularly, offends many Christians.  They think that God isn't that extravagant, that it goes against his character.  I used to think that way, but have been transformed by God's provision, love, and glory.

 Now salvation is a pure gift from God that we receive by faith; but what we often fail to address, is that he also promises to reward those who invest what they have been given.  Read the parable of the talents, (Matthew 25:14-30). The master gave a gift to his servants and then he said 'invest'!  God has done the same those who believe in His son.  He has set us free, crucified the sinful flesh, and empowered us with the Holy Spirit.  He then gave us authority to spread his kingdom (Matt 28:16-20).  In other words he has told us to invest our salvation into the hastening of his kingdom (see previous blog).

Not only that but he promises to give us gifts for how we steward that call.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Cor. 5:10." Hebrews 11:6 says that he rewards those who eagerly seek him.  "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward (2 John 1:8)."  John here is speaking of rewards, not salvation. We cannot lose our salvation but we can store up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

"Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- each ones' work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire (1 Cor. 3:12-15)."  On judgment day, Christians too are going to be judged, and although we are freed from damnation, our works as God's steward still merit reward.  It is seen in this passage to the Corinthians that we as Christians build on our foundation, which is Christ; if what we build survives we are rewarded, if what we build is consumed, we will still go to heaven but without the reward.  Now it is important to note that when that day comes we aren't going to be competing or be jealous.  There will be nothing but joy, a pure heart, and thanksgiving for our brothers and sisters.  Going back to the parable of the talents, it says in verse 29, "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.  But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." This means that we can earn what we deserve, and then God gives even more!!  This doesn't seem 'fair' according to our cultural standards, but when we come into disagreement with God, only one of us is right. . . and its not us.

Not all rewards are given in heaven though.  Although we do place eternal value on temporal possessions, God shows his favor on those he is pleased through finances, health, and position (Matt 7:11).  Although I would like to show how this is seen in scripture I won't in this blog: so read the Bible!

 Read the parable of the wedding feast, Luke 14:7-11. It is clear here that in the Kingdom of Heaven some people are more distinguished than others.  Favor can come in the form of  rewards either in heaven or here on Earth, and also can come in the form of Spiritual blessing. There are different spiritual anointings that individuals carry that have been given to them by God.  This anointing can be affected in a few different ways; 1. The more powerful the redemption the greater the anointing (Luke 7:47). 2. It can be imparted from spiritual leaders (Romans 1:11-12), 3. It comes through faith and experiences, and 4) comes when we pursue God (James 4:8).

Favor comes out of Love for God, not apart from him; for God will not give his favor outside of a loving covenant relationship where the individual is submitted to Him in all things.  There are people in the Kingdom who have a greater anointing in healing, prophecy, teaching, evangelism, and other spiritual pursuits; but these are for everyone, and are accessed through faith and pursuit of Him!

We are not called to be equal, we are called to steward what God has given us, and to build up our treasure in heaven (Romans 12:3, Ephesians 4:7, Matt 6:20).  God purposefully gives favor to individuals to set up a structure of leadership. He wants us to have to rely on others, to need others, so as to build community.  Therefore we need to submit under our leaders, so that we can receive their blessing and their spiritual anointing (Romans 1:11-12).  Because we have emphasized individuality, equality, and sameness in the Lord we have taken down the established order of the Church.

If we think that everyone is equal, then we will not see others as having something that we can benefit from.  If we do not submit to our elders, leaders, and those with a greater anointing, then we will not receive the spiritual blessings they offer.  Favor is supposed to flow down from one level to another, if we do not put ourselves under those above us, we will not receive the favor. Our pride and selfishness that causes us to reject spiritual authority, undermines the established order of God, and therefore we miss out on receiving our own anointing and fail to grow as stewards of God’s kingdom. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11)."

Scripture teaches us not to think too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3, Phil 2:3), but we also shouldn’t think to lowly of ourselves either; rather we should understand with sober judgment, where he has brought each of us, and how we can benefit from others guidance, counsel, and blessing (Galatians 6:4-6).  When I see someone who has a greater anointing then I do, I will go to them for prayer and blessing.  When someone is wiser than I am, I will go to them for counsel; I want to surround myself with people who can impart to me those things that will bring me closer to God and equip me to run the race marked before me. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt 5:6).” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matt 6:33).”  "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:1)." See also, Matthew 7:7, John 15:4, John 4:14, Matthew 4:4.

Favor, both in rewards and in anointings, are a part of the Kingdom whether we like it or not.  I love it! Be diligent therefore, run the race marked before you, eagerly desire more of God, and submit yourselves under those God has established.  Walk in the Lord's favor and be blessed!!