Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14
All Spiritual Blessings
I pointed out previously that in the Greek, verses 3-14 is one sentence. But it is appropriate that some more modern versions (such as the New International Version) make verse 3 a sentence to itself. It states a theme and highlights what is to come. The verse says God “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (NIV), and thus praises Him for it.
What are we to make of the word “spiritual” in this sentence? The word could mean either of two things. It could mean that the blessings come to us by means of the Holy Spirit. The last verses of this section (verses 11-14) certainly teach that. Or it could mean that these are spiritual rather than material blessings. The phrase “in the heavenly places” which also occurs in this sentence, suggests that Paul is probably thinking of “spiritual” in the second sense. In the context of the verse, it stands to reason that he is thinking of blessings related to heaven rather than earth and is declaring that these blessings are freely given to us.
It is not that God does not give material blessings as well because He truly does. Jesus promised that his disciples would be provided with all things needful (see Matthew 6:25-34). The apostle Paul said, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). But these material provisions are relatively unimportant when measured against the promised spiritual riches. Besides, although in this life we may have more or less material possessions, in spiritual terms we don’t merely have some blessings, but rather, all blessings in Christ.
Verses 4-14 showcase a listing of these blessings. It is worth looking ahead to the entire scope of them now in light of the “spiritual blessing” found spoken of in verse 3.
Election. Paul says that “He [God] chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” This troubles some people, because they suppose that if God elects individuals to salvation, as this verse and others clearly declare He does, then the value of human choices is destroyed and the motivation for a holy life vanishes. This is not what happens. Instead of destroying the value of human choices, election gives us a capacity for choosing that we did not possess previously as unregenerate persons.
Before we were made alive in Christ we had a human will. But it was directed against God, not toward Him. We could choose, but we always chose wrongly. When we were made alive in Christ we received a new nature, according to which God, who before was undesirable to us, now became desirable, and we willingly submitted ourselves to Him. Again, so far as living a holy life is concerned, we are told in another text that God wills our holiness. So, far from being an excuse for unholiness, election actually guarantees the opposite. The only way we can know whether we are among the elect ultimately is whether we are living a holy life.
Election teaches that “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). Indeed, Paul makes this clear in this passage. He teaches that God:
“chose” (verse 4),
“predestined” (verse 5),
“accepted” (verse 6),
“forgave” (verse 7),
“grace abounded” (verse 7-8),
“made known His will” (verse 9),
“purposed” (verse 9),
“sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (verse 13).
It is God’s work from beginning to end.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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