Spirituality can feel as tangible as the wind. We know God is real, but we don’t see him. We understand spiritual truths, but are not sure how to make them concrete.
I think this might be why Paul starts his letter to the Ephesians by telling them God has blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (1:3)—but then he takes many more sentences trying to solidly explain what that means.
Spiritual blessings are cosmically sized and mysteriously complex, even for the spiritual superhero, Paul. But I think Paul helps us see at least seven spiritual blessings for disciples of Jesus.
7 Spiritual Blessings for Believers
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus to encourage them in the content of their faith—and to live it out. He started his letter with a beautiful reminder of the gospel. And in his first sentences, we find seven spiritual blessings.
1. We are holy and blameless before God (v.4)
Christ paid the debt of our sin with the offering of himself. His sin offering frees us from any judgment slated against us. We stand before God with the holiness of Christ gifted to us through faith.
2. We are adopted as his children (v.5)
Gentiles (non-Jews) were not seen as a part of the people of God (Jews) when Jesus came on the scene. But now, all those who come to the Father through faith in Jesus are called children of God.
3. We receive the riches of his grace (vv. 6–7)
God the Father gifts us his grace (unearned favor) through faith in Jesus.
4. We are redeemed through the blood of Jesus (vv. 6–7)
The wages (earnings) of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). But Jesus redeemed us (bought us back) from death—by paying for our death with his blood instead of ours.
5. We are forgiven of our sins (v. 7)
To forgive someone means to release them from the offense against you and whatever consequences you might give them because of their behavior.
So, when God forgives us of our sins, he releases us from the guilt of our sins and “remembers them no more” (Heb. 8:12). We are freed from the consequence of second death that will come for those who are not in Christ (Rev. 21:8), although sometimes there are natural consequences in this life for our sinful behavior.
6. We receive wisdom and insight into the mystery of God’s will (v.10).
Knowing Jesus as revealed through the Bible is like seeing behind the cosmic curtain of all reality. This is such a blessing! We know what’s really going on—God is bringing unity to all things in heaven and on earth (spiritual and physical) under Christ. In other words, Christ reigns over all, and in him and through him and for him are all things (Rom. 11:36).
7. We are gifted the Holy Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance (v.11–14).
In the Roman culture at the time of Apostle Paul, children were seen as their father’s inheritance, as much as (if not more so) than children receiving a property inheritance from their fathers upon death.
In other words, the thought was that the father does not die, but lives on forever in his family. Even though he becomes physically absent, he is spiritually present in his children. (1)
So when Apostle Paul used the imagery of an “inheritance” in Christ, we can understand that he might mean two things. First, we receive the Holy Spirit as a promise of our forever life in Christ (what we would say is our inheritance). But also, we are Christ’s inheritance because he lives on in us by his Spirit.
Reflecting on your spiritual blessings
Pause:
Breathe. Slowly re-read the above list that includes some of your spiritual blessings in Christ. Then just think about them in a place of restful gratitude.
Read:
Read Ephesians 1:1–14 in your preferred Bible translation.
Reflect:
- Have you ever received a special gift? How did it make you feel?
- How do the blessings in Christ (listed above) compare to the special gift you received?
Pray:
Pray about your thoughts or use the simple prayer below:
Father God, thank you for all the spiritual blessings I have because of you offering your son as a sacrifice for my sin. I deserve none of these blessings, but your love is gracious and overflowing. Help me to live for you in response. I worship you. Amen.
Sources
Insight for Living Ephesians overview.
(1) Merrill Frederick Unger et al., The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988).
