Have you ever met someone who just always seemed to want something new and different? Yet they had a house and garage packed full of things they’ve never used! That kind of attitude can lead to discontent and poverty in the midst of plenty.
In the Christian life it is possible to do much the same thing! Some Christians are always pursuing some “deeper” or “higher” spiritual experience and completely overlook or minimize what is already available “in Christ.” The tragedy is that in their pursuit they end up losing sight of THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST, develop spiritual pride and become susceptible to deceptive teaching. That was the very kind of thing that Apostle Paul observed was happening in the churches of the Lycus Valley near Ephesus.
In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul worshipfully declares a marvelous antidote for that problem: God has abundantly blessed His people with every blessing they will ever need in Christ Jesus! He desperately wanted these believers to know who they were and what they had “in Christ.”
Paul joyfully proclaims, “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!
All of the abundant, marvelous blessings of the Christian life come in and through Christ out of God’s unlimited heavenly treasure house! Paul then goes on to enumerate six spiritual blessings that are simply representative all of God’s unlimited treasure “in Christ.”
Each blessing that Paul points out follows a similar pattern:
* First the blessing “in Christ” is identified.
* Then how the blessing comes – how it is provided is pointed out.
* Finally, the purpose of the blessing is revealed.
Here is a brief list of the blessings Christians have “in Christ”…
1. “In Christ” We Have Been “Chosen” (1:4)
2. “In Christ” We Have Full Rights as God’s Children (1:5-6)
3. “In Christ” We Are “Redeemed” and Forgiven (1:7-8)
4. “In Christ” We Are Given Insight into God’s Eternal Purpose (1:9-10).
5. “In Christ” We Are Included in God’s Wonderful Plan (1:11-13a)
6. “In Christ” We Are “Sealed” by the Holy Spirit (1:13b-14)
Reflecting on this caused Paul’s heart to erupt in praise as he contemplated all of the rich, wonderful blessings of God “in Christ!” Hey, this is not an exhaustive list, but simply representative of the many wonderful things God provides! THE FACT IS, GOD HAS ABUNDANTLY BLESSED HIS PEOPLE WITH EVERY BLESSING THEY WILL EVER NEED IN CHRIST JESUS (John 1:16; 2 Peter 1:3)!
Reflect on each of these wonderful blessing! No amount of money or effort can provide them. They are graciously provided to every Christian “in Christ!” The key – the secret – is knowing Christ! “In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3)!
Coffee With The Lord 