Introduction

‘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. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.’ Ephesians 1:3-12

Paul describes the blessings which the Father (the Source) has given us in Christ as ‘Spiritual’ and he further highlighted their location (the heavenly places). This implies that these blessings are divine).

The Christian’s blessings ‘in Christ’ are numerous, but in the context of Ephesians 1, Paul highlighted the following blessings which we have in Christ: the adoption of children, Ephesians 1:5, acceptance in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6, redemption through His blood, Ephesians 1:7, the forgiveness of our sins, Ephesians 1:7, the riches of His grace, Ephesians 1:8, knowledge of the mystery of His will, Ephesians 1:9, eternal inheritance, Ephesians 1:11, and the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise, which is God’s guarantee of our inheritance, Ephesians 1:13-14.

God made us His children through the death of Christ. In giving us the blessing of adoption, God granted to us the full rights of children including the right to eternal inheritance, making us joint heirs with His Son. In John 1:12, God’s Word says: ‘But as many as received him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name’.

In his exhortation to the Romans, Paul explains that ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death’.

Going further, from verse 14, He brings home his argument by declaring as follows: ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God’. What more can we ask for? The Lord of the universe made us His children. How blessed we are!

‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.’ Romans 8:1-2

‘For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.’ Romans 8:14-17

Prayer

Thank You, our merciful God for the rare privilege of becoming Your children. Help us never to wander away from the sunshine of Your love, but to remain Yours every single day of our lives. Amen.