This article is a companion to our YouTube sermon series on the Book of Ephesians. We encourage you to watch the video below before continuing with this article.
The Power of Being “Already Blessed”
Have you ever felt like you needed to work harder to earn God’s blessings? Here’s a transformative truth that might change your perspective forever: If you’re in Christ, you’re already blessed. This isn’t just a nice sentiment – it’s a biblical reality found in the powerful letter to the Ephesians.
“Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3
Understanding the Context: Paul’s Prison Letters
The letter to the Ephesians wasn’t written from a place of comfort. Paul penned these words while imprisoned in Rome between 61-63 AD. Think about that for a moment – some of the most encouraging words about spiritual blessings were written by a man in chains. This wasn’t just a letter to one church; it was designed to be circulated among multiple congregations, making its message universally applicable to all believers.
The Three-Dimensional Christian Life
Paul presents a three-dimensional framework for Christian living that remains revolutionary today:
- SEATED in Christ (Identity)
- WALKING in Christ (Daily Life)
- STANDING in Christ (Spiritual Warfare)
Breaking the Performance Trap
Here’s a paradigm-shifting truth: You don’t work for God to be blessed; you work for God because you’re already blessed. This completely transforms our approach to Christian service. Many believers have it backwards – they serve, give, and worship trying to earn God’s blessings. But Paul tells us something revolutionary: all spiritual blessings are already ours in Christ.
The Geography of Blessings
Notice where these blessings are located: “in the heavenly places.” This means your blessings aren’t dependent on:
- Your geographical location
- Your economic situation
- Your current circumstances
- Your physical health
The Jesus Connection
Just as you wouldn’t need to understand how a Ferrari engine works to accept the keys if someone gave you one, you don’t need to fully understand all of theology to accept Christ. The key is simple: Jesus is the access point to all spiritual blessings.
Real-Life Application
Think of the disciples in the storm with Jesus (Mark 4:35-41). Despite having Jesus physically present in their boat, they panicked. Many of us do the same – we have Christ in our “boat” but live as if we’re facing the storms alone. The question isn’t whether you have access to blessings; it’s whether you’re living in the reality of them.
The Challenge: 7 Days of Blessing Awareness
I challenge you to spend the next 7 days doing these three things:
- Start each day by declaring Ephesians 1:3 out loud
- Keep a “blessing journal” noting how you see God’s blessings manifesting in your life
- Share one spiritual blessing you’ve recognized with another believer each day
Moving Forward
As we continue our journey through Ephesians in the coming weeks, we’ll explore deeper dimensions of our spiritual inheritance. But remember this foundational truth: your blessings in Christ aren’t future possibilities – they’re present realities.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Your Next Step
Don’t wait to start living in the reality of your spiritual blessings. Begin the 7-day challenge today. Share your experiences in the comments below, and join us next week as we dive deeper into the riches we have in Christ.
Remember: You’re not working toward your blessings – you’re working from them. Let that truth transform how you live this week.