Spiritual Blessings In Christ

  Do you realise the immense spiritual blessings that are in Christ Jesus for God’s children?  Ephesians 1:3 states, “…who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” while Ephesians 1:18 talks about “…the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”  2^nd Peter 1:3 affirms this position: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

As a disciple of Christ, have you been experiencing and walking in every spiritual blessing, which is your inheritance in Christ?  Are you living a victorious Christian life?  Are you spiritually rich?  Do you know that you have a heritage in Christ?  A lot of emphasis today has been placed on physical/ material blessings, and though it is not wrong to desire and ask God for material blessings, believers must understand that whereas material blessings are temporal, spiritual blessings are eternal.  

The principle of blessings (both spiritual and material) is that they always  come with responsibilities.  Think about some of the blessings in your life: job promotion; spouse; children; wealth; salvation etc.  These blessings are a great gift that bring joy, but they come with numerous/ varied responsibilities.  In fact, scripture states that unto him whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48).  Any blessing available to us can only be enjoyed to the level of our understanding and maturity.   

The evidence of spiritual blessings in your life is an indicator of your walk with God; unlike physical blessings which are not a measure of spirituality.  An example is the Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:9) of which God said, “I know your afflictions and your poverty- yet you are rich!”  What a report from God! Can God give a similar report about me?  I'm I spiritually rich or poor?  What does my spiritual bank statement look like?  Matthew 6:20 states, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

·         The tragedy facing many believers today is that they are not aware of their spiritual heritage (Isaiah 54:17), or worse still, familiarity with our spiritual heritage has made us to embrace religion and yet deny its power (2nd Timothy 3:5).  Consequently, many of us are living defeated Christian lives contrary to God's purpose for our lives.  Please note that it is in Christ, that believers receive their spiritual blessings.  This speaks of our position: we have to remain/ abide in Christ if we are to experience and enjoy our spiritual blessings.

Our guiding text for this discussion is Ephesians 1:1-23.  Like Romans, Ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church; more so, it was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity (David Guzik).  It is estimated that the letter was written about A.D. 60 from Rome, during Paul’s imprisonment.  Paul dedicated the first chapter of Ephesus to encourage and educate believers on their spiritual heritage, which include:

a) The mind of Christ
Ephesians 1: 1a states, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,….”  Paul introduced himself in the same manner in 2nd Cor 1:1.  Paul had the mind of Christ: saturated with divine humility.  He understood that his calling was not deserved/ earned; it was purely a work of grace.  Philippians 2:15 states, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.” The blessing of humility is that a person can be so rich, yet so broken and contrite before God.

The mind of Christ enables us to see ourselves in the correct perspective: as servants and not lords; as wretched sinners delivered purely by grace and not as self righteous.  No wonder Paul called out in anguish, “wretched man that I am!”  He saw himself through the clear lenses of Christ and realized his fallibility and wretched state.

b) Made saints
Ephesians 1:1b states “To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.”  God refers to the believers in Ephesus as "saints".  Ephesians 1:4, 7-8 states that “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”  God has made us the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2nd Corinthians 5:21) and we are as though we never sinned.

What happens when we stumble into sin?  1st John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Have you fallen into sin?  Stop living in condemnation!  Embrace God’s forgiveness, for this is your spiritual heritage.  Proverbs 24:16 states, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,…”  A saint is simply a sinner who has been sanctified through the blood of Jesus and is made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  It is purely a work of grace!

c) Grace and peace
Ephesians 1: 2 states “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Severally, across the New Testament, the apostles use the phrase “grace and peace”.  For example, in Romans 1:7; Galatians 1:3; Titus 1:4; and Revelation 1:4 the writers use the same phrase.  "Grace and peace" must have been such a life transforming revelation for the early church that the apostles kept blessing God it.

The following are aspects of the grace that believers have received:

• Redemption- Christ paid the penalty of our sin so that we may be reconciled to God.  For this reason, we are saved.
• Victory over sin – Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
• Divine empowerment for ministry- Romans 12:6 states, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”
• Sustenance and preservation despite our afflictions- Psalms 34:19 states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

It is these workings of God’s grace within us, brings immense peace that surpasses human understanding.

d) Chosen, predestined and made sons   
Ephesians 1:4-8 states, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”  Ephesians 1:11-13a states, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation."

Thank God that from the beginning, God chose us to salvation (2nd Thessalonians 2:13); and to a holy life for his own purpose (2nd Tim 1:9)!  Being made sons was not an afterthought.  Predestined means marked out beforehand.  We were marked out in God’s eternal purpose to be reconciled to God and be made sons.  In the Roman law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as biological children.  Galatians 4:4-7 states, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to Sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

I pray that God will open our spiritual eyes to understand that we are sons and not servants, and that this spiritual understanding will influence our lives in entirety.  Compare and contrast how servants and sons live, and reflect on your life to determine whether the pattern of your life depicts a son or a servant. 

e) Knowledge of His will

Ephesians 1:9-11b states, “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”  Hearing God speak in our daily lives and knowing his will is a spiritual blessing for all believers, and not a preserve for a few chosen persons.  How can you live a life of being led of God, continually hearing from Him and knowing the mysteries of His will?

• Obedience- The more we respond to the promptings of the Spirit and obey God's word, the more God reveals His heart and mind to us.  A life of obedience is only possible when we love God, and this love is expected to grow deeper and deeper, as we grow in relationship with God.  Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
• Walk in the Spirit-  The Spirit reveals God’s mind and heart to us.  1 Cor 2:9-11 states, “However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 

God’s will does not always make sense, but since God is Trustworthy, we can unreservedly follow Him.  Have you been sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit in your life?  Have you been obeying God’s leading?

f) The Indwelling and baptism of the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 1:13b-14 states, “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”  A seal is a permanent sign of ownership.  Unlike a stamp that marks only the surface of an object, a seal is pressed onto an object such that it not only changes its appearance but it also takes the form of the seal.

The Spirit is a guarantee that we belong to God and He guarantees us of God's Faithfulness.  He is the down payment demonstrating the genuineness of our faith, and proving that we are God’s children.  His Spirit transforms us and enables us to overcome sin.  God never intended that we go through life in our own power and might.  He understood our frailty- that we are flesh and blood.  The Spirit of God indwells us, proving our redemption from the kingdom of darkness into God's Kingdom of light. 

The gift of the Father is the promise of baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is available to all who believe (Acts 2:39).  A believer who has not been baptized in the Holy Spirit lacks power for ministry.  God never intended that we do ministry in our own power and might; He understood our limitations and thus instructed the disciples not to leave Jerusalem before receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4).  I pray that you will deeply hunger for the Holy Spirit and desire for His infilling.  If you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit, you need to ask the Lord for His gift in prayer.  Many of us do not receive because we do not ask.  God is eager to release His gift of the Holy Spirit to you and He only awaits for you to ask.  If we who are human beings know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will the Lord give us the blessed Holy Spirit when we ask (Luke 11:11-13)?        

g) Faith in the God of ImpossibilitiesEphesians 1:15-16 states, "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus … I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers."  Our faith in Him is strengthened day by day, as we meditate on God's word and behold His goodness.  Through faith in God we can move mountains; walk on water; slay Goliaths; plant in a time of drought and expect a harvest; because we serve the God of impossibilities.  Eccl 11:4 states, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”  NIV Commentary on this scripture states, "Life has opportunities and we must seize them, not merely play it safe.  Just because life is uncertain does not mean we should do nothing.  We need a spirit of trust and adventure, facing life's risks and opportunities with God-directed enthusiasm and faith".

Have you been walking by faith or by sight?  If you are lacking in faith, you need to spend time in seeking to know God through reading, studying and meditating on his word, prayer and fasting, fellowship, etc.  Romans 10:17 states, “… faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

h) Revelation & Infilling of God's Love
Ephesians 1:15-16 states, "For this reason, ever since I heard about … your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers."  God pours His love upon us when we get saved.  Romans 5:5b states, “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  That love enables us to lay down our lives for others.  1st John 3:16 states, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

The proof to the world that we are Christ’s disciples is not that we operate in the gifts of the Spirit.  On the contrary, we proof that we are followers of Christ when we love one another (John 13:35).  God’s love enables us to help when it is not convenient; to give when it hurts; to devote energy to others’ welfare rather than our own; and to be hurt and not fight back.  Are you walking in God’s immeasurable love or are you passive to people’s needs, both spiritual and material?  If your heart has grown cold, return to God in repentance and ask that His love be poured upon you a fresh.

i) Growing Relationship with God
Ephesians 1:17 states, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."  God has chosen to reveal Himself to us as “Father” which is an affirmation of His desire to relate with us.  What a great privilege it is to be able to relate with God Almighty and enjoy His Fatherhood!  God is calling us to relationship and not religion.  Religion is very pre-occupying and burdensome because it demands that we do many things.  Nevertheless, it leads to disappointment, frustration, doubt, hardness of heart, self righteousness, emptiness and spiritual dryness.  On the contrary, relationship with God leads to joy, an ever deepening love for Him, brokenness, humility, spiritual fulfillment, wholeness, etc.   God's yoke is not religion but relationship!

j) Eternal Hope
Ephesians 1:18a states, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,….”  The hope that God has given us is not a vague feeling that the future will be positive.  On the contrary, it is a complete assurance of certain victory through God.  According to Romans 8:18-25, believers hope for the revealing of the sons of God (being made immortal; being made just like Christ- 1 John 3:2); and their liberation from the bondage of decay.  We wait eagerly for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Revelation 1:7 states, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”

k) Incomparably great power
Ephesians 1:18-23a states, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, ….”

The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in and through us, who believe.
Ephesians 2:6 says, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”.  Believers are seated with God and in Christ, in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority; power and dominion; and every name that is invoked in both the present age and those to come.  In Christ, all things are under your feet!  Are you walking in the authority and power that is yours in Christ Jesus?  In your life, are you appropriating the power that is in the name of Jesus; the Blood of Jesus; the Word of God; prayer and fasting; and praise and worship?

Join me in making this prayer:

Thank you Lord for reminding me today that you have blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  I thank you for making me a saint; a son; endowing me with unfathomable grace and peace; and being an ever-present God who takes delight in communing with me despite my lowly state.  Thank you for giving me eternal hope and through your Spirit, pouring upon me your incomprehensible love.  I ask of your forgiveness for allowing my carnal mind to take preeminence in my life and so I have been proud, self-seeking, greedy and insubordinate to your will.  Forgive me for quenching the Spirit of God and relying on the arm of flesh in various aspects of my life.  Forgive me for being ignorant of the glorious spiritual inheritance that is mine in Christ Jesus.  Forgive me for treating the things of God so casually such that I have embraced religion and neglected cultivating  my relationship with you.  I now realize the power at work within me; I realize the power of the name of Jesus, the Word of God, the blood of Jesus, prayer and fasting, giving, fellowship and praise and worship. By your grace, help me to appropriate that power in my life.  Amen.