There is an old-school song that uses the phrase, "... blessings all mine, and ten thousand, besides." The word, "blessing" is very powerful. It is more than merely nice things, a comfortable situation, or good luck. There is something more substantial, as well as more spiritual, about the idea of a "blessing."
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Eph. 1:3-4 ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Eph. 1:3-4 ESV)
What is the nature of these spiritual blessings? They are not magical, special super-powers; and they are not necessarily directed to our comfort or ease.
The purpose of these blessings helps to discern their substance. So, what is their purpose? In the text, we see that we would be holy and blameless. God has blessed us … so that we would be holy and blameless.
Well, that's interesting. Me, holy and blameless? Hardy! But God is holy and blameless. Who else is "holy and blameless?" That's right: Jesus - who walked, taught, healed on this world - was holy and blameless. Another way to say this is: we are to be just like Jesus, who is holy and blameless.
The purpose of these blessings helps to discern their substance. So, what is their purpose? In the text, we see that we would be holy and blameless. God has blessed us … so that we would be holy and blameless.
Well, that's interesting. Me, holy and blameless? Hardy! But God is holy and blameless. Who else is "holy and blameless?" That's right: Jesus - who walked, taught, healed on this world - was holy and blameless. Another way to say this is: we are to be just like Jesus, who is holy and blameless.
As a Christian, a follower of Jesus, can there be any greater complex of blessings than to become more like Jesus; what we call 'Christ-likeness?'
What about you? What would it look like if your life was God-centered and rooted; if you were wise as God’s Spirit directed you; if you realized the resurrection power of Jesus to resist doing bad things; if you had the clarity of God’s word instructing you to do the right things; if you were confident in the presence of adversity and opposition; if you had a full and healthy emotional life; if all your relationships (as they depended on you) were healthy and fully functional. All those things were true of Jesus. Don’t you want those things to be true of your life?
What about you? What would it look like if your life was God-centered and rooted; if you were wise as God’s Spirit directed you; if you realized the resurrection power of Jesus to resist doing bad things; if you had the clarity of God’s word instructing you to do the right things; if you were confident in the presence of adversity and opposition; if you had a full and healthy emotional life; if all your relationships (as they depended on you) were healthy and fully functional. All those things were true of Jesus. Don’t you want those things to be true of your life?
That is the blessing – to live as complete and fulfilled humans, just as Jesus did. To life as real people, here and now, “in Christ.” For Christians, that is our already-and-not-yet; our situation and destiny; our process and goal as Christ-ians. We are ‘little Jesus’ in our world and sphere of influence. The source of our practical blessings, in life and work, is primarily realized by abiding in Christ.
Being like Jesus is our goal; even before Christian service, good deeds, activism, or full-time ministry.
We have blessings – and those blessings have a purpose.
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