Who Has Blessed Us With Every Spiritual Blessing

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly realms in Christ,” the apostle Paul said in his introduction to the epistle to the church at Ephesus (Eph. 1:3). We would have adequate motivation to move in that path even if we had no other passage of scripture that linked any desirable end consequence to entering into Christ than this one verse. Although this phrase states that “all” spiritual blessings are “in Christ,” there are several verses that list one or more specific blessings that can be found there. We'll take notice of a handful of them.

However, before getting into the many benefits found in Christ, we would be remiss if we did not state up front exactly what one must do to get there. Only two verses directly indicate how we can enter Christ, while one verse depicts the same thing from a different perspective. “Know ye not that so many of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Paul asked the Roman Christians. (Romans 6:3) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” he wrote to the Galatians (Gal. 3:27). I Corinthians 12:13, which indicates that we are baptized into His body, is the third passage mentioned. Being baptized into Christ is the only way to enter the kingdom of God. To misunderstand that, you'll need assistance.

When it comes to knowing where one has to go in order to be saved, one must first know what he needs to be saved from. The ark that Noah built was the best location to be if you wanted to be saved from the flood of Noah's day. By being in that area, eight souls were saved (I Pet. 3:20). If one wishes to be redeemed from the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23), or from eternal destruction, one must be in Christ Jesus, who is the source of all spiritual blessings. “I endured all things for the elect's sakes,” Paul informed Timothy, “so they may also get the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (II Tim. 2:10). “And this is the record,” said the apostle John, “that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (I John 5:11). The text we mentioned from the book of Romans also reveals that our salvation is in Christ, but the words are not spoken. “Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death,” Paul said, “that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also might live in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Take note of when the newness of life began, at the time of baptism into Christ. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new,” Paul told the Corinthians (II Cor. 5:17). It is self-evident that one must be baptized into Christ in order to be saved, for salvation is found there. And, once again, one would need assistance to misunderstand that. However, we must recognize that there is a lot of assistance accessible in the area of misunderstanding.

Now, let's look at some of the other benefits that can be found “in” Christ Jesus. We might easily fill the rest of our space with specific blessings that the exact words used to describe them are employed to describe. Following the assertion that “all spiritual blessings in heavenly regions” are in Christ (Eph. 1:3), Paul wrote in the book of Ephesians that we are chosen in Him (Eph. 1:4), that we have redemption via His blood (Eph. 1:7), and that we have forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:8). (Eph. 1:7). He also remarked that we have received an inheritance via Christ (Eph. 1:11). It would take all of our room and more to go through the New Testament and list all of the blessings we have “in Christ.”

With the remaining space, let us focus on one particular blessing that is frequently missed by the world at large. People who profess to be Christians but have never been baptized into Christ can be found all around our country. Many people have been baptized, but not in the way that the baptism that brings us into Christ requires. To be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins, one must believe the gospel, repent of their sins, confess Christ as the Son of God, and confess Christ as the Son of God. The Lord then accepts that person into His body, the church (Acts 2:41, 47). Many people who haven't done so still pray to God with their heads bowed. Prayer is a blessing that is conferred upon people who are in Christ Jesus, dear friends and brethren. Those who accept Christ have the ability to become God's sons (John 1:12). This demonstrates that mankind as a whole is not God's child. Paul declared to the Philippians that they were God's sons (Phil. 2:15). We can't pray to God as “our Father” because God isn't our Father. “God heareth not sinners,” the previously blind man said (John 9:31), yet he was not an inspired speaker. “For the Lord's eyes are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers,” Peter wrote, “but the Lord's face is against those who do evil” (I Pet. 3:12). The blessing of prayer is one of the many magnificent blessings that God has bestowed upon us via His precious Son. Thank God for that, since it is your birthright.

Where are all spiritual blessings?

Every human who lives on this planet, according to the Bible, is a receiver of God's bodily blessings. “For He raises His sun on the evil and on the good, and showers rain on the just and on the unjust,” Jesus stated (Matthew 5:45b). We should be grateful that God has provided us with everything we require for physical survival through His material creation and natural law. God's blessings, however, are not restricted to the physical realm. God want to shower immense spiritual blessings on those who are willing to accept them.

The food that maintains our physical bodies is one of God's tangible favors. Consider the case of someone who has an abundance of food but refuses to consume it. Refusing to accept God's blessing of food for an extended period of time will result in famine and death. To get the physical gift of eating, one must first choose to eat and then act on that decision.

In the same way, receiving God's spiritual rewards is conditional. God makes His spiritual blessings available to everyone (Titus 2:11), yet just as someone who refuses to consume food will refuse to receive God's spiritual blessings, so too can someone refuse to receive God's spiritual blessings. All spiritual blessings are only available “in Christ,” according to the Bible (Ephesians 1:3). Consider “in Christ” to be a spiritual location. To receive God's spiritual blessings, one must be spiritually located in Christ. “In Christ Jesus” is where salvation is found (2 Timothy 2:10). Before receiving all spiritual rewards, one must first choose to follow Christ and then act on that decision. How does one become a Christian? A penitent believer who declares faith in Jesus as the Son of God can alter their spiritual location by being baptized, according to the Bible. “For everyone who was baptized into Christ has put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Because one is baptized into Christ, one is outside of Christ and hence outside of the spiritual place where all spiritual rewards, including salvation, are obtained prior to baptism.

What is the meaning of 2nd Peter 1 3?

I enjoy working with tools. Please double-check that. I enjoy having a large number of tools at my disposal. When I was a teenager working weekends at a service station, I acquired my first toolbox, which contained wrenches, ratchets, pliers, and screwdrivers. (Before it became a convenience shop with fuel pumps in front, a gas station was known as such.) Later in our marriage, my wife surprised me with a whole new (even bigger) toolbox full of tools on Christmas Day. Is it true that I've gotten rid of my old toolbox and tools? Are you serious? Obviously not. Instead, I was ecstatic that I now possessed a plethora of 9/16th-inch wrenches, Phillips-head screwdrivers, and other tools. Later, I expanded my tool collection to include metric tools, as most contemporary autos and appliances required them. There aren't many circumstances these days when I don't have the tools I need to complete the task.

While we're on the subject of tools and life, here are some questions that sprang to mind as I read 2 Peter 1:3-11:

• Is it possible for me to live the mature, holy life that Christ desires?
• Is it possible for me to be the kind of husband, parent, coworker, churchgoer, and neighbor that pleases Christ in how I interact with others?
• Can I rise to the occasion and assist in instances when spiritual “repairs” are required, owing to the spiritual instruments I possess and am familiar with?

With these questions on my mind, I can't express how happy I was when I came upon these words in Scripture:

Through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness, His divine power has given us all we need for life and godliness. —2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Consider what Peter said in this passage for a moment. We have everything we need for life and godliness as believers. Everything. There is nothing missing. The toolbox is stocked and ready to use! The Holy Spirit, who lives within us, provides us with all of the spiritual resources we require to live the holy, mature lives that Christ demands. Furthermore, we have the instruments to restore relationships that are starting to sputter or simply require some upkeep.

Isn't it true that tools that sit in the toolbox or go misplaced aren't very useful? That is why Peter exhorted believers to “make every effort” (1:5) to employ and build up the spiritual resources Christ provides when we place our faith in Him. In fact, the list of resources outlined by Peter in verses 5-7 resembles Paul's description of the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-23). Faith, goodness, wisdom, self-control, endurance, holiness, brotherly affection, and love are some of these resources. “If these traits are yours and are expanding,” Peter says, “they will safeguard you from being worthless or unfruitful in our Lord Jesus Christ's knowledge” (2 Pet. 1:8).

What does it mean to you as a Christian that Christ has provided you with all you need to live a godly life?

What can you do right now to put one or more of your spiritual instruments to work in a “healing” situation?

Where in the Bible does it talk about blessings?

God's blessings on mankind. God's first blessing to man is recorded in Genesis 1:28: “God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fertile and increase, fill the world and master it.” 1. God bestows blessings (rather than commands!).

What is the heavenly realm?

Supreme God Tathagata created the Heavenly Realm ( (), Shingye; lit. “Divine World”). The Heavenly Realm is one of the God of High School's three recognized domains. It is inhabited by a number of gods. The Sage Realm is the most powerful realm, followed by the Human Realm. The Heavenly Realm and the Sage Realm fought a major war over a thousand years ago, with the Sage Realm losing and the Heavenly Realm winning.

Are the fruits of the spirit?

“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruits of the Spirit…”

Unbelievers are distinguished from Christians because they have been given the Holy Spirit, which enables them to bring fruit. In other words, their works reflect the sanctification process that is taking place in their hearts. What are these fruits, how are they defined in the Bible, and how do they manifest themselves in our Christian lives? This is the first of a series of posts concentrating on the fruit of the Spirit, with love, joy, and peace as the focus.

Love

Love is defined in the Bible in a totally different way than it is defined in our world and culture today. While many people associate love with romance or a nice emotion, the Bible's meaning is much more active, depending on what we do rather than what we feel. Following Jesus' example and humbling ourselves as servants, love is self-sacrifice, putting others' needs before of our own. As stated in the well-known passage:

“Love is patient and compassionate. It is not envious, pretentious, bloated, or harsh; it does not pursue its own interests; it is not irritable; it does not stew over damage; it does not exult in wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth. It bears everything, believes everything, hopes everything, and endures everything.” 13:4–7 – 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

However, we are unable to love properly without of God. We can only put our sins and selfishness aside via the power of the Holy Spirit. We are able to show mercy to others because God has shown us mercy; we are able to exhibit love to others because God has shown us love:

“We love because he loved us first. Anyone who claims to love God but hates his brother is lying, for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. He gave us this commandment: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 4:19-21 – 1 John 4:19-21 – 1 John 4:19-21 – 1

Joy

Joy is more than a fleeting feeling; it is a long-term state of enjoyment based on more than just an emotional reaction to our circumstances: it is a conscious choice of attitude. We rejoice as followers of Christ because we have redemption in him.

When the trials of this world come our way, we can take refuge in the solace that only God can provide, and find joy regardless of our circumstances.

Peace

This world is riven with strife and division, and sin and wickedness have exacerbated the problem. As Christians, we are not immune to the effects of sin on the world, but we can express our concerns to God via prayer.

“Have no anxiety, but make your requests known to God in all you do through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. Then, in Christ Jesus, the peace of God that transcends all understanding will protect your hearts and minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

We can also take comfort in the truth that Christ has defeated sin and death. We have peace in Him because we know He is in charge, and no matter what trials we encounter in this life, we shall be promised ultimate eternal peace in Him.

“I've told you this in order for you to feel at ease with me. You will face difficulties in the world, but have courage; I have conquered the world.” – Matthew 16:33

The second episode of our Fruit of the Spirit series, which focuses on patience, kindness, and giving, is now available.

Who has called us to glory and virtue?

To those who share our holy faith in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Simon Peter, a servant and Apostle of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace continue to grow in you as you grow in your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; for it is by his power that he has given us everything we need for life and righteousness, through the knowledge of him who has been our guide by his glory and virtue; and it is through this that he has given us the hope of great rewards highly valued; so that by them we might have our part in God's being, and be set free from the destruction that is in the world through the desires of men. -2 Peter 1:1-4 is a passage from the book of Peter.

APOSTLE Peter wants us to grasp God's might, which no force can withstand since it is divine, in the preceding scriptures. This divinity has bestowed on us the Holy Spirit's gifts. This was communicated to the apostles in order for them to bring men to life and godliness, which includes complete knowledge of the Gospel's doctrines; power to preach and defend their doctrines in appropriate language, which their opponents could not gainsay or resist; wisdom to direct them on how to behave in all cases, where and when to labor; and the matter appropriate to all different cases and people. Also, miraculous powers, so that they could execute miracles on all appropriate and essential times to validate their doctrines and mission.

In this context, what does life and holiness imply? God has bestowed on us everything necessary for a happy life and godliness, having called us to knowledge of Himself, by His infinite goodness, to express the perfection of the Divine nature: That ye may show forth the virtues or Perfections, of him who has called you from darkness into his marvellous light.