Blessed in Christ

December 2, 2012 Background Scripture: Ephesians 1 Lesson Passage: Ephesians 1:3 – 14 Christians often speak of being blessed in spite of situations and circumstances. A few years ago the saying “Too Blessed to be Stressed” was all the rage and brought in plenty of money for retailers. Of course this saying was taken from a book written with that title. What exactly are we talking about when we say that we are blessed? I believe we are suggesting that we see ourselves as being fortunate although situations and circumstances may be interpreted by others as untimely or unfortunate. In times that would otherwise leave us emotionally distressed, we find ourselves overwhelmed with peace and serenity. We realize the surreal nature of it all is beyond explanation aside from that which is spiritual. We call ourselves blessed. Sometimes life seems unbearable, yet we can bear it and even more. We know that we are blessed. Christians talk about this with ease because we have experienced some dimension of it and understand that it is part of who we are. On the other hand, we are challenged to try to interpret it or explain it to non-Christians. What exactly are we talking about when we say that we are blessed? There is no explanation of it outside of our personal relationship with Christ. Christ is everything that he said he would be for us. He is our rest when we labor and become heavy laden by life. He is fulfillment for all who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus of the blessedness of being in Christ. God gives us all spiritual blessings in Christ. Our Heavenly Father adopts us into His family through Jesus Christ and then allows the heavenly blessings to flow to His children through Christ. It is for His own pleasure that He does this and no other reason. Of course our greatest blessing is the forgiveness of sins. Our sins had predestined us to eternal damnation but God interrupted our fatal course and not only spared us (that is mercy) but adopted us into His own family (that is grace). There is only one avenue by which God chooses to do such a thing. That avenue is His son Jesus. Our avenue to avail ourselves of God’s grace is to place all of our trust and faith in the redemption that is available only through the blood of Jesus. Those who put their faith in him are sealed by the Spirit of God as the proof of being children of God. This is manifest every time we become aware of the blessings of God in our lives. None of this happened before we heard and accepted the gospel message of Jesus Christ. But once we believed in Him, our lives were transformed. Have all of our problems gone away? No. Do we still experience pain and loss in our lives? Yes. Is every day a joyous day of nothing but good things in our lives? No. But in spite of circumstances and situations, we have peace and we are able to bear all that life brings our way because we have a burden bearer. If we choose to, we can allow stress to dominate us. But if we choose not to, then in Christ, we are too blessed to be stressed. All of these blessings take place because of the presence of Christ in our lives. Robert C. Hudson November 21, 2012