“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. (Eph. 1:3). The Apostle Paul is tireless in reminding us of our riches in Christ. But sometimes we gloss over these verses, either shoving them into our future life with Him in heaven, or failing to realize their practical, everyday value for us as we live out our lives here on earth.
This breathtaking verse in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians leads us to a closer look at those “spiritual blessings” in 1 Cor. 1:30.
“It is because of Him that ye are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us Wisdom from God – that is, our Righteousness, Holiness and Redemption.” Now hold everything. It’s easy to gloss over “religious” words. Let’s stop right there and soak this in.
We can start with a working definition of Wisdom – the knowledge of what to do next. How often do we wonder what to do next? Jesus always knows what to do next. We can ask. He knows how to open up those blessings to His children.
Righteousness – Our right standing with God, through the blood of Jesus, shed for our sins. When satan, our accuser, comes to bring guilt and despair, Jesus will remind us to tell him to take a hike. He has no place in us. All has been settled by the blood of Jesus. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21 niv). Not perfect, but marvelously covered in the righteousness of Christ! Good to remember on a dark and rainy November morning.
Sanctification – holiness, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives, making us more like Jesus as we say, “Yes, Lord” and let Him work in us. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18 niv). So restful, so practical, to lean back into His power and let Him work in us. Some might be dreading the coming holidays due to old family conflicts. Can it be different this year? Yes, Jesus can give you the right words to say, or even quiet you if necessary. All you gotta do is ask for that wisdom! He’s a down to earth meddler, and He works wherever we allow Him.
Redemption – Our Hope of coming Glory, the redemption of our bodies, made fit for eternity with Him when we see Him as He is. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. “(1 Jn. 3:2 niv). All Creation is poised for this moment. When we wonder where life is taking us, Jesus will remind us of our future with Him.
“Every spiritual blessing” is ours in Christ. Let’s “give thanks with a grateful heart”!