All spiritual blessings
“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
Reflection
The letter to the Ephesians begins with a long praise, and the first sentence already shows the tone: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Notice the verb: "hath blessed", in the past. Paul does not say "will bless" nor "will bless if we make an effort". He says He has already blessed. And not with some, but with "all spiritual blessings". Before any request, the Christian is already surrounded by blessings received.
The expression "spiritual blessings" may sound less concrete than health or money, but it is the opposite. Spiritual blessings are the most lasting and the deepest. The rest of the chapter details them: we were chosen by God before the foundation of the world, adopted as children, redeemed by Christ's blood, forgiven, made to know the mystery of God's will, given an inheritance and sealed with the Holy Spirit. All of this is already ours, and no crisis can take it away.
Note also the repetition of "in Christ". The blessings are not scattered through life waiting for us to find them; they are in Christ, and so they come with Him. To be united with Christ is to have access to everything He has won. This changes how we live. Many run after approval, worth, security, as if they still had to earn them. Paul says we already possess them. We live from blessing, not in search of it. It is the difference between working to be loved and working because one is already loved.
Today, pause and read Ephesians 1 slowly, listing each blessing mentioned. Mark the ones you have forgotten. Then give thanks, one by one, aloud. When anxiety says you are alone, remember adoption. When guilt accuses, remember forgiveness. When insecurity asks who you are, remember that you were chosen. You do not need one more blessing to start the day: you have already been blessed with all. Begin to live from that.
Prayer
Blessed be You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Open my eyes to recognize what I have already received: the choosing, the adoption, the redemption, the forgiveness, Your Spirit. May I live from these blessings, with gratitude and steadiness. Amen.
Put it into practice
Read Ephesians 1 slowly, list each blessing you find and thank God for them one by one, aloud.
To reflect on
Which spiritual blessing already received in Christ do you most forget in your daily life?
Bible text: King James Version (public domain).