The word "according" has been called "God's yardstick." An old Puritan called it "God's bushel." It is certainly a very long yardstick and a very oversized bushel. It is a common misconception that God takes our "according" to measure His blessings with. Our blessings are always "according" to God.

1. Blessings according to our sonship
   • Ephesians 1:5 - "Predestinated us unto the adoption of children... according to... His will"
   • John 15:16 - "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you"
   • 1Peter 1:2 - "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God"
2. Blessings according to our calling
   • Romans 8:28 - "All things work together for good... to them who are the called according to His purposes"
   • 2Timothy 1:9 - "Called us... not according to our works, but according to His own purpose"
3. Blessings according to our salvation
   • Titus 3:5 - "According to His mercy He saved us"
   • 2Timothy 1:9 - "Saved us... according to His own purpose and grace"
4. Blessings according to our forgiveness
   • Ephesians 1:7 - "We have... forgiveness... according to the riches of His grace"
   • 1John 2:12 - "Your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake." The measure of our forgiveness is not according to our merit, our works or our sorrow for sin. It is not even "according to His grace," but "according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
5. Blessings according to our strength
   • Colossians 1:11 - "All might... according to His glorious power"
   • Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me"
6. Blessings according to our resources
   • Philippians 4:19 - "God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory"
   • Ephesians 3:20 - "Unto Him that is able to do... abundantly... according to the power that worketh in us." The believer often wants what he does not need, and needs want he does not want.
7. Blessings according to our transformation
   • Philippians 3:20,21 - "Who shall change our vile body... according to the working whereby He is able"
   • 1John 3:2 - "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him"

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