EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST JESUS
We have been basking in the wonder of how the great God of heaven has dealt with poor hell-deserving sinners. We saw the old state and the drammatic transformation that took place in those who were made saints—holy and set apart
2:1-3 born in sin and shapen in iniquity.
In vs 3 we see Paul’s heart was filled with praise as he thinks of the blessings he is about to describe.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
Vs 4-10 contain a LIST of spiritual blessings that are given to the saint, who are a people who have been:
– vs 4 chosen by God before the foundation of the world
– vs 5 predestined for adoption
– vs 7 redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
– vs 7 forgiven
– vs 9-10 enlightened to the great mysteries of redemption, adoption, predestination and so on
– vs 11 given a secure inheritance
– vs 13 sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance
SPECIAL SUBJECTS OF THESE BLESSINGS: We must note who are the special subjects of these blessings. There is great danger in claiming these blessings if one is not the intended recipient. Vs 1-2 show us that the subjects are those who have been saved by grace, the children of God, those who were spiritually dead but are now alive in Christ.
SOURCE AND SUBSTANCE OF THESE BLESSINGS: These blessings are from GOD, the Source. The blessings spoken of here are SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS (Vs 3 ) as against the many temporal blessings that God gives the people of the world. The blessings spoken of here in these verses are CHRISTO-CENTRIC BLESSINGS. (vs 4 chosen in Him; vs 5 predestined through Him; vs 7 In Him we have redemption; vs 9 according to the purpose which He set forth in Christ; vs 10 to unite . . . in Him; vs 11 in Him we have obtained an inheritance; vs 13 in him when you heard the word of truth). There is one God and one Mediator —the Man Christ Jesus.
SACRED SPRING FROM WHICH ALL THESE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS FLOW: He CHOSE us in Christ Jesus vs 4. ELECTION is the sacred spring—the elective grace of God. People do spiritual somersaults to get around the idea of election to suggest that it doesnt really mean what it says. Here are some other references where the same word ‘chose’ is used: Lk 6:13, Acts 6:5, Acts 15:22. No one debates the meaning of the word in these places but somehow in Ephesians, some want it to mean something else. 1 Pet 2:9-10 tells us more about this CHOSEN race, who were once not a people but now . . . This doctrine of election is biblical and when we can grasp it and by faith embrace it, it brings to us a great sense of joy and peace and satisfaction. Why I should be among the elect of God, I have no idea. But I know that I am a part of that holy people who are God’s own possession.