“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One blessing us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
What are these spiritual blessings? Firstly, they are spiritual blessings not material; they are to be found in heavenly places not upon earth; and they are to be found only in Christ, not in Christianity.
The purpose of these blessings is the same as that which brought the Son of God to earth to be the son of man; to restore fallen man to the condition and the relationship he once had with God before the fatal fall of our earthly father Adam. Therefore, these blessings are judicial and are done in heaven. Reconciliation with the Father is a foundational spiritual blessing; propitiation, or the acceptance by the Father of the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus for our sins is another; redemption, which is the payment of the lawful price by Jesus Christ to redeem our souls from the legal ownership Satan has on them is yet another. All of these things are done in heaven, not on earth. Justification is done in heaven, but sanctification must take place on earth.
There are spiritual blessings that we have upon earth; the blessing of being free from the power of sin is an earthly blessing whereas being free from the penalty of sin is a blessing in heavenly places. Knowing Him and hearing His voice is a spiritual blessing that we receive upon earth, whereas the mediation of Christ with the Father is a spiritual blessing that is done in heavenly places.
These things are generally taken for granted as doctrine but they are worth serious meditation; properly understood, they can inform our prayers, our worship and our thanksgiving to God.
It is a worthwhile exercise to draw up a list of the treasures in heaven and compare them to the treasures on earth. The treasures in heaven derive from our faith and trust in Christ Jesus; the treasures on earth belong to our senses and reason. So on one side we can list the pleasures of this life; on the other, the joy of our salvation and delight in the Lord. On one side we can put our earthly reputation and standing in the eyes of men; on the other our standing in the eyes of God. On one side we can put following the philosophy of men; on the other following the revelation of God. On one side we can put living in abundance for a time; on the other, living in righteousness for eternity.
The treasures of this world will be destroyed by moth and rust, Jesus said. How far better it is to seek those heavenly treasures which will never perish!
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