As a born again believer, do you know that you are Blessed and Highly Favored!
Ephesians 1:4-14 is the longest continual sentence in the New Testament. In this one long sentence the Apostle Paul, presents the truth of the gospel of Christ. The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to speak of the Spiritual Blessings of the believer. This passage will give you encouragement, because you learn what you have in Christ. Every believer is blessed with all Spiritual Blessings through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
God is the giver or provider of these good gifts. He planned them before the foundation of the Word. Therefore they are eternal and can never be erased. God’s Spiritual Blessings are to be desired, because they are good and lovely.
These blessings are not earthly blessings that will pass away but are spiritual blessings that will endure forever. They encompass every need and aspect of our lives. Jesus Christ secured these blessings for you by His death ad resurrection. Jesus paved the way for your salvation, which is the greatest blessing of all.
The word blessing in greek means ” to speak well of”. This means that God has spoken or pronounced good things for your benefit. The good things that God has decreed over you are probably beyond your ability to number. But lets go over a few based of off Ephesians 1:4-13.
The first blessing listed in verse 4 is that you are chosen in Him. God has chosen to make you holy and blameless. All because of His love, His good pleasure, and His grace. Even though we are all sinners, God extends His grace and mercy towards you and offers the blessing of salvation.
The second blessing in verse 5, is you where predestinated. Predestination means that God chose His people for a purpose and determined that purpose would be fulfilled totally through spiritual adoption. Through this adoption you have all rights and privileges as God’s children. Romans 8:29 says that, for those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to become conformed to the image of His son, so that He would be the firstborn amount many brethren.
The third Spiritual Blessing is in verse 6. Which is that you were made “accepted in the beloved.” You are children of God only because of the work of Christ who is the beloved of God. The Blood of Christ has taken away the guilt of your sins, and you stand before the Father as perfectly accepted.
Verse 7, is the fourth blessing, and is the redemption through His Blood. The price of your sins, was fully paid by the Blood of Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Since you where bought and paid for by His Blood, you are to glorify God in your body and spirit. This is found in 1 Corinthians 6:20 which says, for you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
Verse 7 also describes the fifth blessing, the forgiveness of sins. The Blood of Christ cleanses you from every possible sin. Your sin debt was canceled on the cross. You no longer have the burden of guilt violating God’s Holy law.
The eight verse shows you that you have wisdom and insight. This gives you the ability to know what God’s will is. You also are able to do the will of God.
The seventh Spiritual Blessing found in verse 9-10, is knowing the mystery of His will. Since all of creation was made by Him and is for His good pleasure, the consumption of His plan is when everything and everyone is brought in line to glorify Him. In God’s timing everything will be brought together under Christ as King.
The eight Spiritual Blessing found in verse 11, is that you have a great inheritance. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says that, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. You have the security of eternal life. The riches of glory, the presence of God, the eternal home, these don’t even scratch the surface of the blessings that belong to your inheritance.
The blessing found in verse 13, is that you were sealed by the Holy Spirit. When you become God’s children, He places His mark of ownership on you. This guarantees your eternal security. This is spoken of as the down payment of our redemption, to hold you until the day Christ brings you home.
So how do you access all of these blessings? They are available to everyone who is in Christ Jesus. In order to do that you must repent and turn away from your sins and accept Jesus into your heart. Remember to worship God by showing great adoration for Him. Praise Him with thanksgiving. Always thanking Him for what he has done and what He is going to do. Finally serve God with all your heart. Let the Bible be your guide for your life. Take His Word to mean exactly what it says and you will lead a righteous life.
The list of blessings that you are given when you receive Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior, could go on and on. But I just wanted to study Ephesians 1:3-14 today. The Apostle Paul gave you a starting point in understanding God’s love and mercy that He has for you. Get this understanding in your spirit, and believe that you have available to you the peace that passes all understanding, and the assurance that nothing can separate you from the love of God.
