Spiritual blessings

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

Preachers who quote Ephesians 1:3 to unbelievers telling them that they will be given all spiritual blessings in Christ when they become Christians will receive a puzzle look from them. Spiritual blessings, what are they? Is he saying I will be blessed with a lot of external privileges? Does he mean I will be happy from today onwards? Does he mean God will be with me and ensure everything is fine with me? Does he mean I won’t fall sick? Does he mean I won’t fail my exams?

Even Christians do not think very much on the verse? What are "spiritual blessings"? Some preachers will say: “Oh they are here. You can’t see them and feel them because they are spiritual.” Am I hearing it correctly?

Paul begins with the word “Blessed be the God”. It means, Praise be to God. Therefore, he must be referring to something that is praiseworthy and worthy of thanksgiving to God. It is something that God is doing on the Christians. And what are they? Spiritual blessings, of course. But what are they?

To the fleshly mind, blessing means something that is physical and tangible. For many, happiness is found right here in this planet earth; they don’t care about what happens after death. They think death is the end of all things. They want happiness and right here while they are alive.

But the nature of the blessings given by God is “spiritual”.  The idea is that “spiritual blessings” are intended for spiritual men. They are not intended for fleshly men; such men remain unblessed spiritually. And, the “spiritual blessings” take place only when a person is “in Christ,” that is, in connection with Him. Those outside of Christ will not enjoy these “spiritual blessings.”

Some of these “spiritual blessings” can be found in these words that Paul used: chosen (v.4), blameless before God (v.4), adoption (v.5), accepted (v.6), beloved (v.6), redemption (v.7), forgiveness of sins (v.7), inheritance (v.11), praise (v.12), and sealed (v.13).

To the fleshly men, those terms mean nothing to them. That’s because they don’t treasure them. They are like Esau, “who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). Esau lived only for the present and he didn’t care for the future. What he needed was present gratification and satisfaction. He realised too late the importance of the birthright and regretted (Hebrews 12:17).

Esau was a sad case. Yet, many are like Esau. They want to fill their present belly. They want the physical blessings. They will regret too late when they miss out on the eternal inheritance. Only those who seek after the “spiritual blessings” while they are alive here on this earth will enjoy the full reward of that blessings when they die (2 Timothy 4:8).

The spiritual blessings are found in the “heavenly places”. The “heavenly places” are reserved in heaven for those who seek God and His blessings while they are here on this earth. Christ said: “I go and prepare a place for you,” (John 14:3). Peter said we have been born again “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:4).

Heaven is a place that has been prepared and reserved for those who have already secured the “spiritual blessings” while they are on this earth. Imagine it as a hotel reservation. Those who have the “spiritual blessings” found in Christ here have confirmed a place in heaven; their reservation is secured.

The important question for everyone now is: “Have you made your reservation?”

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.