Minister Meschack Mulenda
Study Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-22
Rest In The Finished Work Of The Cross – Our Spiritual Blessings
Faith brings what has already been established in the spiritual realm, to the physical realm. It serves as evidence of the rightful spiritual blessings that have already been given to us by God through Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit; spiritual blessings established in the heavenly places. In the profound verses of Ephesians 1:1-22, Paul explains the richness of these spiritual blessings that transcend what is temporal and remain throughout eternity.
At the core of this passage is Ephesians 1:3 that declares God ‘blessed’ and that we have been ‘blessed’ with every spiritual ‘blessing’. Notice that the word ‘bless’ is mentioned three times. The number three, throughout the Bible, has symbolised harmony, wholeness, new life, completeness, and intensity (because of who He is). This is similarly seen in the fellowship of the Holy Trinity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Hence, we can appreciate that the significance of these blessings in our lives is threefold.
Take into account that these blessings are spiritual, placed in the spiritual man (read Job 32:8), inspires us to focus on the unseen since the visible is subject to change from corrupted influences (2 Corinthians 4:18). Unlike what is visible, these blessings are deposited in heaven, where they can neither be stolen or perish. We, as believers, partake in them through Christ Jesus, as we are seated in heavenly places with Him (see 1 Peter 1:4, Matthew 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 3:22).
Alluding to Ephesians 1:3, the subsequent verses offer these spiritual blessings, namely, election, adoption by predestination, acceptance in the beloved, redemption, forgiveness of sin, knowledge of God’s Will, inheritance, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the guarantee of the inheritance. They cover both past and future eternity, going back before the world was made (Ephesians 1:4) and continuing even after the end of the world (Ephesians 1:14).
Moreover, these blessings can be subdivided into the Holy Trinity.
In the Father (verses 3 to 6) we are elected and adopted granting us believers the highest position through Christ, further reflecting His acceptance of us as His beloved (John 15:16; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 1:12).
Continuing with the Son (verses 7-12), Christ’s redemptive work through sacrificial love on the cross, portrayed in 1 Peter 1:18-19 and Galatians 3:13, brings us back to God through forgiveness as He paid the price (1 Corinthians 6:20).
We have now been brought closer to God, and enlightened in the knowledge of His Will (1 Corinthians 2:12; John 14:8-9; Colossians 1:19-20). We also have the assurance of the inheritance (Colossians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Genesis 22:18; and Galatians 3:16).
Pertaining to the Holy Spirit (verses 7-12), He has now been given unto to man. This, in other words, means that God has chosen to dwell among us! (Psalm 42:7).
As a result, we have now been sealed with the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing the redemption of our bodies and our sonship. As Romans 8:14 states, “for as many as are led by the Spirit, these are the Sons of God” (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:11).
In order to take advantage of our blessings, we must acknowledge their existence. In disregarding their spiritual basis, we forsake its practical benefits in our daily lives. Hosea 4:6 warns against this devastating effect of ignorance, with consequences extending to future generations.
Thus, our resolve should be to know and understand what God has accomplished, highlighting the emphasis of Proverbs 18:15 on the quest for knowledge (God’s Word). Hence, acting from this wisdom, we affirm our victory in knowing what has already been done for us (Proverbs 4:7).
Matthew 16:19, reminds us that Christ empowered us with the key of the Kingdom, to also bind or loosen these blessings, bringing spiritual realities into the physical realm.
This entails prayer, of which Philippians 4:6-7 informs us, carries the Father’s Will (what He has already done in the spiritual realm) on earth. That is why every time the enemy attacks our prayer life, our supply chain gets obstructed. Effective prayer establishes God’s Will by communicating His Word back to Him (Matthew 18:19–20; James 5:16).
Rest in the finished work of the cross means understanding the rich blessings God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have bestowed upon us and actively engaging with the keys of the kingdom. In using these keys, we access our increase as children of God. Let us then exalt the name of Jesus in faith and persevere, as these are catalysts for unlocking God’s blessings and fully stepping into our spiritual inheritance.
