Have you ever stopped at Ephesians 1:3 and wondered about that phrase?

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph 1:3)

Every spiritual blessing.

Really?

I mean, what are they?

If someone walked up to me and said, “Vicky, God has already given you every spiritual blessing,” my first question would probably be, “Wonderful… but what exactly are they?”

The beautiful thing is that Paul does not leave us guessing. He makes this incredible statement in verse 3, and then spends the rest of the chapter unpacking what those blessings actually are.

As I sat reading through the passage, I realized something that made me smile. The blessings Paul describes are not things God gives us. They are realities God gives us in Christ. They are not temporary gifts that can be lost. They are eternal treasures rooted in who God is and who we have become because of Jesus.

The first blessing is that we were chosen. Before there was a world, before there was a failure, before there was a victory, before there was a “you,” God already knew you and chose you. Let that sink in for a moment. The God who created galaxies did not discover you along the way. You were on His heart before the foundations of the earth were laid.

Then Paul says we were adopted into God’s family. Not tolerated. Not merely forgiven. Adopted. Given a seat at the table. Given the rights of sons and daughters. Given a Father who looks at us and says, “You belong here.”

Next comes acceptance. So many of us spend our lives trying to earn approval. We strive. We perform. We compare ourselves to others. Yet Paul says that in Christ we are already accepted in the Beloved. The Father’s delight in His Son has become our standing before Him. What a thought. God is not waiting for us to become lovable. He has already wrapped us in the righteousness of Christ.

Then comes redemption and forgiveness. We were bought back. Freed from the chains of sin. Released from the debt we could never pay. Not because we deserved it, but because grace demanded it. Through the blood of Jesus, our past no longer owns us.

And speaking of grace, Paul says God lavished it upon us. I love that word. Lavished. Not sprinkled. Not measured. Not rationed. Lavished. God’s grace is not running low. Heaven is not operating on a shortage. The Father pours out grace upon His children with open hands.

Paul continues by saying that God has revealed His will to us. We are no longer wandering in darkness. Through His Word and Spirit, He makes known His heart, His purposes, and His plans. What kings and prophets longed to see has been revealed through Christ.

Then we discover that we have an inheritance. Think about that. An inheritance is something reserved for family. We are heirs with Christ. Eternal life, resurrection, the Kingdom of God, and unending fellowship with Him are all part of what has been promised to us.

As if that were not enough, God gives us His Holy Spirit. Not merely guidance from afar, but His very presence within us. The Spirit comforts us, teaches us, convicts us, strengthens us, and continually points us back to Jesus.

Finally, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will finish what He started. The Spirit is Heaven’s seal upon our lives. God’s declaration that we belong to Him. His promise that He will bring us safely home.

When I look at this list, I realize something remarkable.

Not one of these blessings is a car. Not one is a promotion.

Not one is financial success.

Not one is earthly comfort.

The blessings Paul celebrates are far greater.

We were chosen by the Father.

Redeemed by the Son.

Sealed by the Holy Spirit.

The Father wanted us.

The Son purchased us.

The Spirit secures us.

Perhaps that is why Paul bursts into praise before he even explains any of it. He is overwhelmed by the reality that God has not merely blessed us with gifts. He has blessed us with Himself.

And maybe that is the greatest spiritual blessing of all.

Not that we know God.

But that the God of Heaven *knows* us, chose us, adopted us, forgave us, delights in us, and calls us His own.

When you understand that, Ephesians 1:3 is no longer a mysterious verse.

It becomes a love letter.

A declaration.

A reminder that in Christ, you already possess riches far greater than anything this world could ever offer.

And because of that, like Paul, all we can really do is worship.

Love

V.L