“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3
LIGHT FOR NOW: The Father’s love is not merely expressed in words. It is revealed in the rich inheritance He has given to every believer in Christ.
One of the greatest evidences of the Father’s love is the generosity with which He has dealt with His children; Love gives, love shares, and love blesses. And nowhere is this seen more clearly than in what the Father has provided for believers through Christ. Paul begins Ephesians with an outburst of praise: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Notice how Paul approaches God; not merely as Creator, not merely as Sovereign, but as Father. This is the central revelation of the New Covenant. Through Christ, believers have been brought into a relationship with God as their Father. Paul then says something remarkable: “Who hath blessed us…” Notice the tense. Not “who will bless us”; Not “who might bless us”; But “who hath blessed us”.
Paul is directing believers to a completed reality in Christ. Many believers spend their lives trying to obtain what God says has already been provided. This does not mean every blessing is fully manifested yet. But it does mean that in Christ, the Father has already made provision. Paul continues: “…with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”. The phrase “all spiritual blessings” speaks of the richness of the believer’s inheritance. Consider some of what the Father has already given through Christ: Forgiveness of sins, righteousness, adoption, acceptance, peace with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, access to the Father, eternal life, a living hope, a heavenly inheritance. These blessings are not earned, they are gifts of grace; and every one of them flows from the Father’s love.
This is important because many people think primarily of material blessings when they hear the word “blessing”. While God certainly cares about our earthly needs, Paul directs our attention to something even greater. Spiritual blessings are eternal. Material possessions can be lost. Spiritual blessings cannot. Earthly wealth can fade. Spiritual riches endure forever. This is why Jesus taught believers to seek first the kingdom of God. The Father’s greatest gifts are not temporary. They are eternal. Notice also that these blessings are found: “…in Christ”. This phrase appears repeatedly throughout Ephesians. Every blessing believers enjoy comes through union with Christ. Outside of Christ there is condemnation; in Christ there is acceptance. Outside of Christ there is separation; in Christ there is sonship. Outside of Christ there is spiritual death; in Christ there is life.
The Father’s love is therefore inseparable from His Son. Everything the Father gives flows through Christ. This truth should produce tremendous gratitude. Many believers focus so much on what they do not yet have that they forget what they have already received. Yet Paul begins not with requests but with praise. He wants believers to recognize the abundance of God’s grace. The Father is not stingy; He is generous. He is not reluctant. He is gracious. He is not trying to keep His children from blessing. He delights in giving good gifts. This does not mean believers will never face challenges. Paul himself faced many hardships. Yet he never doubted the Father’s generosity. Why? It is because he understood that the greatest blessings had already been secured through Christ. The believer who understands this develops a heart of gratitude. Instead of constantly living from a sense of lack, he begins living from a sense of inheritance. He recognizes that he is deeply loved, richly blessed, and abundantly provided for in Christ. And that realization becomes a continual source of worship and confidence.
INSTRUCTION: Take time today to thank God for the blessings you already possess in Christ. Focus more on His provisions than on your perceived lacks.
CONFESSION/PRAYER: Father, thank You for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Open my eyes to appreciate the riches of Your grace and help me live daily with gratitude, confidence, and joy in all You have provided. Amen.
For More light; get the message, ‘The Love of God’
QUOTE: The believer’s greatest wealth is not what he possesses on earth, but what the Father has given him in Christ.
DAILY READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2:6-15
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 