“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” [Eph 1:3]
In Christ Jesus, as it says, we have been “blessed…with every spiritual blessing.” Yes, every spiritual blessing that can be obtained, is available for us to lay hold of in Christ. “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us.” [2 Cor 1:20] Every blessing, every promise, all of it is unlocked and accessible in and through Jesus. We need not fear, for all has been joyfully provided to us by The Father in Him. For Jesus tells us, “fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [Lk 12:32] And again, through Jesus we have become heirs of God. To the overcomer, that is, to the one who “is believing that Jesus is The Son of God,” [1 Jn 5:5] it is promised, “he that overcometh shall inherit all things,” and, “we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” [Rev 21:7, Rom 8:16-17]
Through these passages, we understand our Father’s abundant grace; for through no merit of our own, we have become inheritor’s of a great many blessings and promises. Through Jesus’ poverty – through His emptying of Himself and coming to earth to die, we have become rich.
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” [2 Cor 8:9]
The LORD has taken our sins, and in exchange, out of His overflow of love, has given us a share in Jesus’ inheritance, “the firstborn of every creature;” [Col 1:15] for “[we] have received of The LORD’s hand double for all [our] sins.” [Isa 40:2] But as always, let us be careful to remember that these blessings and promise are received solely in Christ Jesus, for “men shall be blessed in Him,” [Psa 72:17] and, “in Thy Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” [Gen 22:18, Gal 3:16] To further explain this, let us take up an allegory.
Imagine you arrive at a building. Within the building is all manner of useful equipment. There is a wealth of good things. But alas, those are within and you stand without, where “there [is] weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [Mt 8:12] Outside of the building, nothing of it can be enjoyed: none of the refreshments, machinery, or equipment therein can be attained or delighted in: they are all frankly out of reach. You stride further toward the building and see a sign above the door, “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” [Jn 10:1] You try the door and see that it is locked. Turning away, grieved, you return from whence you came. As you go, a man greets you and says, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” [Rev 1:18] And again He shouts,
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” [Mt 7:7-8]
It is understood that in order to enter the building, you need the key. In order to get the key, you must have a relationship with the owner’s son. Thus, having submitted to His kingship and rule, you fall to your knees, saying, “God be propitious to me, a sinner.” [Lk 18:13] Upon hearing such a humble call, the Son says gently, “fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [Lk 12:32] And upon that, He leads you forth, and you enter into the building. Upon arrival you receive a “change of raiment,” [Zech 3:4] and are told, “the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” [Rev 19:8] You also receive a nametag, which reads, “ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” [Gal 3:26]
Let us think about this allegory, for it reminds us of what is written in Ephesians, that God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Just as the man in the parable here gained access to all the equipment, all the refreshment of the building by way of The Son, so too we have gained access to all of God’s blessings in Christ Jesus. We, being children, being in Christ, are granted all that is His. It is Jesus who has given us all these things, “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption;” [1 Cor 1:30] and as it says, “ye are complete in Him.” [Col 2:10] Praise be to God who has offered us all that He has in Christ; for again, “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” [Rom 8:16-17] We are joint-heirs with Jesus Himself, and it has been said to Christ Jesus, “thou shalt inherit all nations,” [Psa 82:8] and again to us who are in Him, “he that overcometh shall inherit all things.” [Rev 21:7] Above thinking merely about what is tangible, about heavenly riches, nations, and other such things which we shall obtain in that world, let us think spiritually. For we have been granted, having been found in Christ, all the wisdom, righteousness, love, and peace that He has. Just as husband and wife are one flesh, it says of us and Jesus, “he that is joined unto The Lord is one spirit.” [1 Cor 6:17] And having been joined to Christ through betrothal and becoming one with Him, naturally, as it is with husband and wife, we acquire all of the blessings and glory which belong rightfully to Christ, for again it is written, “and the glory which thou gavest me I have given them…” [Jn 17:22]
Praise be to God who has blessed us so abundantly in His Son. May this provoke us to love and adoration and devotion. May we enjoy Christ Jesus more, clinging to Him in devoted and zealous love, enjoying those benefits which He so freely offers.