Unlocking the True Meaning of Spiritual Blessings
When we think of spiritual blessings, we often view them as abstract concepts or polite phrases. However, the Bible reveals that these blessings are concrete and life-changing. In the book of Ephesians, Paul explains that we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing” in Christ.
Unwrapping the Blessings of Ephesians 1:3-14
In the first 14 verses of Ephesians, Paul writes a lengthy sentence that may seem like a random collection of ideas at first glance. However, upon closer examination, we discover that he is intentionally highlighting the distinctively Christian composition of praise to God. By moving through each person of the Holy Trinity and repeating certain phrases, Paul emphasizes the origin and bestowment of these blessings.
The Origin of Spiritual Blessings
The blessings we receive in Christ find their origin in God’s own initiative. It is He who blessed us, chose us, predestined us, lavished His grace on us, made known His purposes to us, and accomplishes all these things for us. As Psalm 103 anticipates, these blessings are entirely of God’s own doing, and their bestowment upon us is a demonstration of His love and mercy.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The indwelling Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in mediating these blessings to us. He brings them to us and applies them to our lives, making them a tangible reality. As Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13-14, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of God’s glory.
Walking in a New Way
The blessings we have received in Christ empower us to walk in a new way, rooted in God’s love for us in Jesus. As Gloria Furman explores in her book, this new way of living is characterized by trust, obedience, and a deepening understanding of God’s purposes. By embracing the love of Christ, we can resist the vortex of the course of this world and walk in love, as new creations in Christ.
A Call to Remember
As we reflect on the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ, let us not forget a single one of them! Let us bless the Lord, oh our souls, and remember the origin and bestowment of these blessings. May we walk in a new way, rooted in God’s love for us in Jesus, and may our lives be a demonstration of His glorious grace.
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