We do not serve a stingy God. Our Father wants to bless us. So many times in Scripture we read the expression, 'how much more', in reference to what God has for us. We recognize what this means. We often say things like, "Johnny studied for an hour and made a C on his test, how much more would he have achieved if he had studied all week," or "Julie got much more fit running twice a week. How much more progress would she make if she had run every day?" Just as we recognize this concept in everyday situations, the Bible frequently uses 'how much more' to describe God's generosity and blessings toward us. We serve a God of the how much more.
Matthew 7:11: God As A Loving Father
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:11 that God is our loving Father. Here, he compares our Heavenly Father to our earthly parents. Compared to God, our earthly parents are evil, and yet they wouldn't give their child a rock if they asked for bread or a snake instead of a fish if their child asked. Our Father may not give us exactly what we ask for, but how much more will He provide good things for us when we ask?
Romans 5:9-10: Justified By His Blood
One of the most treasured expressions of His love is found in Romans 5:9-10. Romans 5:9 tells us that we have been justified by the blood of Jesus. Paul then says, "how much more" will we be saved from the wrath of God. To be justified means to be forgiven and declared righteous. Paul has already explained how none of us are good, none are righteous, in themselves. So, since it is true that the blood of Jesus justifies us, it is even more true that we who have been justified will never see the wrath of God.
Romans 5:10: Saved By Christ’s Life
In Romans 5:10, Paul tells us that while we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him. We are reconciled, even though we in no way deserve it. Reconciliation is peace between humans and God, made possible by Christ's sacrifice. So, "how much more" Paul says, shall we be saved by Christ's sinless life? To the world, Christ's death looked like defeat, but God used His death to reconcile us to Himself. How much more shall His powers as an exalted Redeemer be able to keep and save us?
Romans 5:17: Reigning In Life With Christ
Paul continues in Romans 5:17 and reminds us that through one man, Adam, death reigned—death comes to us all. Then how much more will those who receive God's grace and gift of righteousness reign with Him in life? Since we are the children of God by adoption, God allows us to be exalted to a glorious state of happiness in heaven; triumphant over all our enemies; gaining an ultimate victory; and partaking with our Savior in the splendors of Heaven. What a great and undeserved reward awaits us.
Romans 8:32: God's Abundant Blessings
Sometimes in life, we may feel very disconnected from God. We may be experiencing difficult times in our lives, or periods where we have fallen into old sins. It is especially during these times that Paul again uses a similar expression in Romans 8:32 when he explains, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Every good gift comes from the God who loves us, not because we are good, but because He is. If He loved us enough to send His Son to die for us, how much more will He give us all our needs? He gives us hope and forgiveness to find our way back to Him.
Ephesians 3:20: God Provides Beyond Our Imagination
When my children were small and hungry, they might ask me for a sweet snack before supper. I love my children, but I wouldn't give them exactly what they wanted. I gave them what was best for them: vegetables, meat, potatoes or rice. In other words, I fed them healthy foods, even though it might not be their favorite thing. So too, our Heavenly Father provides for us in better ways than we can often understand. Paul tells us this in Ephesians 3:20 when he says,
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"
Hebrews 12:9: God’s Loving Discipline
Just as parents take care of us, they also discipline us. In Hebrews 12:9, the author tells us that we respect our parents for loving us enough to discipline us when we do wrong. How much more should we be subject to the discipline of God, knowing that it is because He loves us and wants to train us up rightly? An undisciplined child is a child that is unloved. No parent who loves his child would ever let them run wild and not discipline bad behavior. If we, as human parents, know this, how much more does God love us and want what is best for us? God trains us in the way we should go.
The Contrast Of "How Much More"
This expression, "how much more", is a contrast between what was and what will be. Each of these scriptures shows us how much more God has in store for us. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:19, that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory through Jesus. God's abundant blessings are all around us. Our lives are never the same after an encounter with God. They become so much more. Thanks be to God.
God's Blessings In Our Walk With Him
God's desire is to bless us. He has blessed us with salvation through His Son for which we will always be thankful. He has blessed us with His Holy Spirit who lives in us, "For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13). The Lord has blessed us with His peace (Psalm 29:11), His power (2 Timothy 1:7), His hope (Psalm 62:5-6), His joy (John 15:11) and more.
Ask For More
How much more joy do you have than before you believed? How much more peace? How much more power and strength? How much more hope? If something is missing in your walk with Christ, ask for it. He is ready and willing to give you so much more than you can imagine or hope for—immeasurably more!
Enjoy the Goodness of God by Cece Winans here.
Commentaires