Jonathan Munson, Executive Director of RFTH 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

What does it really mean to be blessed?

“Blessed” means that we have experienced the divine favor of God and have been consecrated or set apart for His purposes.

This is a far cry from how we typically use the term! It’s probably not what the guy in the gym has in mind when he flexes for his selfie and posts, ‘#blessed’, is it?  

Paul shines the spotlight on an area of overlooked blessings in our lives – our spiritual blessings. How do we know that we are blessed? Simple. We know because we have been born again by His Spirit. He is our “seal…, a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” in the presence of God (Ephesians 1:13, 14). It is only through the Spirit of God that we experience the amazing “spiritual blessings” of God.  

In Greek, verses 3-14 are one lengthy, complex, run-on sentence. Your middle school English teacher would cringe at Paul’s grammar, but it is an elegant way to communicate in the original language. Take some time to slowly read the beautifully crafted first fourteen verses of Ephesians 1.

Notice phrases like:  

“Chosen” (4)
“Predestined” and “adopted” (5)
“Redemption through His blood” (7)
“Forgiveness of sins” (5) 
“Lavished riches of God’s grace” (7) 

Like a stunning string of pearls, the phrases independently stand alone but are also linked together. Each phrase describes a unique spiritual blessing that is ours through Jesus Christ. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Paul’s just whetting our appetite for additional “spiritual blessings” he’ll mention in the remainder of Ephesians.  

There is only one appropriate response to these blessings: praise.

If we recognize that we’re truly blessed by God, how could we ever stay silent? Normally, we praise Him for other kinds of blessings- food, shelter, financial provision, friends, family, etc. and it’s good to do so. But we mustn’t neglect the “spiritual blessings” right under our noses. The more we comprehend all that is ours in Christ, the more our hearts should overflow in praise.

The “spiritual blessings” we possess in the “heavenly realms” are intended to impact us on earth. We don’t have to wait until heaven to celebrate them. Our “spiritual blessings” are to be treasured and enjoyed right here, right now. Just as food nourishes our physical body, so our spiritual lives are sustained by feasting on our “spiritual blessings.” They are meant to strengthen, encourage, and embolden us through the peaks and valleys of our earthly journey.

So, what “spiritual blessing” from Ephesians 1 sticks out to you? Take a few moments to personally express your praise to Him.

If you are in Christ, you are #blessed indeed.

DIG DEEPER
Read “What Are Spiritual Blessings?” at GotQuestions.org