OUR SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

    Christians often fail to realize the wonderful benefits which faith in Jesus and His sacrifice gives and are theirs for the asking.
   
    Ignorance of these benefits is so widespread that few know about and claim them, thus enriching their spiritual lives. How about you?
   
    These benefits are too numerous to list in one short article, but here are nine for your consideration, selected from a study of the Epistle to the Ephesians, and best of all, they are free for the asking, so be sure to claim them. Remember God is rich in mercy and love!

Because we are In Christ, we have been: 
   
•    Blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places - 1:3
•    Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world - 1:4
•    Predestined unto adoption - 1:5             
•    Given a heavenly inheritance – 1:11
•    Accepted in the Beloved – 1:6
•    Redeemed by Jesus’ blood with forgiveness of sins – 1:7
•    Raised through baptism from death unto life – 2:4
•    Seated together with Christ in heavenly places – 2:5
•    Made complete in Christ, lacking nothing – 2:6; Col. 2:10

    Christians who are members of the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23) and who truly recognize these spiritual benefits of grace and claim them by making them their own, can have a holy “boldness and access with confidence” into the very presence of God.

    What do we mean by boldness?  According to Webster it means, “courage, bravery, spirit, fearlessness, freedom from timidity, confidence, trust, freedom from bashfulness, assurance.”  It is having love and respect that a son should have toward his earthly father, but in this case even more so toward his Heavenly Father.

    In Christ, we can approach God with fearlessness, free from any timidity, and with full assurance that we belong.  Not because of our own uprightness, sincerity, devotion or dedication, but because of the merit the Lord Jesus Christ and because we know, by faith, we belong to Him (Ephesians 2:9, 10).

    As Christians we enjoy this boldness in spite of our failings, shortcomings and despite the fact that we stumble and fall.  We are to be assured that our boldness comes from being IN HIM, for only through Him dare we have such boldness with the Father. But our boldness should not be limited to our relationship with the Father.  We must also be bold in bringing the Good News of Great Joy to others, doing away with timidity or fear.  A shining example of boldness is recorded in Acts 4:13: “Now, when they (the Jewish religious leaders) saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” So do not fear to speak up if you feel “unlearned and untrained!”  With Peter and John you are in good company.  Just be sure you also “have been with Jesus and learned of Him” and then speak with all boldness. The Lord has promised He will put the words in your mouth (Matthew 10:19, 20).

    In conclusion - Fear God, but do not fear man; “For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

 Be bold and courageous when speaking of Christ and the truth, and God will be with you.
                                     

G. Boccaccio  ©CDMI