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The Salt Newsletter

Welcome to The Salt Newsletter, a weekly email where I aim to provide insight from scripture and teach you how to teach this to someone else. 

In Acts 1:1, Luke states that in his gospel he wrote about all that “Jesus began to do and teach.” An important model for us all because it isn’t just important for us to do what scripture says. We should be quick to teach it to others as well. Why? Because we’re the salt of the earth and that’s how you and I will make disciples of all nations!

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THIS WEEK
What is the favor of God, and how can I get it?

read time 5 minutes

You’ve probably heard of people saying of another, “that person has so much favor.” When it comes to divine favor in the Bible, few narratives are as compelling and inspiring as the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Amidst the outward struggle of being sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph's story illuminates the profound nature of God's favor even in the face of adversity. 

Genesis 39:5 From that time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptians house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.

The concept of “God's favor" is often spoken of in Christian circles, with individuals described as having "favor" when their lives seem to effortlessly go well. But what does it truly mean to have the favor of God, and how can one gain it? This week, we'll explore the essence of God's favor, the conditions for receiving it, and the unmistakable evidence of His favor in our lives.

_{What is the favor of God?}

Favor is when the Lord is expressing His delight in you - this comes with evidence that others quickly pick up on! At your job, your boss may admire and respect you more than others that have been there longer. At your school, your teachers might extend more benefits to you because they see your potential. In life, things that take longer for some will take you less time. All of these are minor ways that the Lord demonstrates His delight in you. But more imporant than all these things, the favor of God looks like a confidence that you are in the perfect will of God. Others might not see it on you, but you’ll sense in your spirit that you’re exactly where God wants you to be.

_{Conditions for God’s Favor}

While the favor of God is freely available for everyone, there are obvious conditions that we often ignore. By ignoring these conditions we reject His favor and trade it for our own way of life which comes with its own set of consequences and difficulties.

Salvation.

The foundation of our access to God's favor lies in the cross. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we gain a restored relationship with the Father. Faith in Christ is the key to experiencing the favor of God, as it is through this faith that we even have a relationship with Him. Our access, unity, and restoration with Christ is impossible if Jesus had not died on the cross for you and I.

If we’re out of covenant with Him, we are aligned with the world. Our alignment with the world is a trading of God’s favor, mercy, and protection for the counterfeit version tied to the spirit of this age.

Humility.

One crucial condition for experiencing God's favor is humility. Acknowledging that everything we have is a result of God's grace fosters a humble spirit. This humility allows us to navigate life as stewards of these blessings, rather than people that ‘ obviously deserve’ these blessings.

James 4:6 tells us that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” This is a clear reminder that pride puts us in a self-appointed place where we cut ourselves off from God’s grace. However, it’s humility that puts us back in a position of reliance on Him.

Favoring God First.

Just as in human relationships, the favor we receive often begins with our attitude toward the other person. Similarly, favor with God starts with delighting in, connecting with, and favoring Him above all else. This involves a deep and unwavering commitment to Jesus, regardless of circumstances. When things are going poorly in life, it should lead us to greater dependence on Jesus, thus, increasing the favor we have for Him. Even if the Lord chooses to never show His delight in us, we still must view Him as our greatest joy.

_{What does God’s favor look like?}

Again, God's favor goes beyond success or prosperity. It’s something that finds itself influencing every aspect of your life, including your mental state, relationships, work, and personal endeavors. We must recognize that the favor of God involves an awareness that we are recipients of His grace and blessings. It has NOTHING to do with our own merit. There’s nothing we can do to earn His favor apart from obedience. This leads to a clearer picture of what favor looks like which includes:

Confidence in God's Will: Those with God's favor exhibit a deep confidence that they are in alignment with God's will. Despite challenges, they trust that everything will work out for their good and God's glory.

Forgiveness and Renewal: The favor of God brings a profound sense of forgiveness and renewal. Individuals with God's favor know that their sins are forgiven, and they can move forward with confidence.

Calmness Amidst Chaos: In the face of difficulties, those favored by God respond with calmness. This calm assurance stems from the belief that God is with them, guiding them through every situation.

Sense of God's Presence: The favor of God leads to a heightened awareness of God's presence in every aspect of life – in nature, in relationships, and even in the breath in our lungs.

Attaining the favor of God involves humility, a deep connection with Jesus, and a foundation in salvation through faith. It is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life, but rather a source of confidence, forgiveness, and a profound sense of God's presence. As believers, there’s no need to strive for God's favor. He’s already showered us with it. We need to walk freely in it, trusting that His delight in us will manifest in extraordinary ways, even in the midst of life's challenges.

TEACH THIS LESSON TO OTHERS

1. Read Genesis 38-39: What are some of the ways God’s favor was following Joseph? What was Joseph’s heart posture in the midst of adversity? Was it pride or humility? Ask yourself the same question. Is the Lord honored by the state of your heart?

2. Pray: Take inventory of how much you favor the Lord. How much of your joy in Him consumes you. If you lack this, pray that the Lord breaks down the hardness of your heart and pray the same for your friend as you discuss this lesson with them.

A PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

Thank you, that because of the finished work of the cross we have access to you and you freely shower us with your favor. We know that this favor doesn’t mean that we will gain wealth and success. However, we know that your favor can follow us and give us confidence in the fact that we’re forgiven of our sins, that we are in your will, that we don’t need to be consumed by the chaos of life and that your presence is always near.

Help us to clearly see your favor in our lives and let us be good stewards of it.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen