Crossroad Radio

One that has become more and more apparent is the claim that all Christians should be healthy and wealthy.  This prosperity gospel says, "come to Jesus and He will give you everything you always wanted!".  I have even heard one pastor remark in regards to getting a new car, "even Jesus rode on a donkey that no man had sat on."  Come on...the gospel is MUCH  BIGGER than worldly wealth and prosperity.

In the book of Ephesians we find a list of our TRUE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS.  The Bible does not say we WILL be blessed with money or a new car.  It does not tell us to expect God to heal every sickness we have (in this life).  Yes, God could do those things (and has in some cases) but just because you are a Christian does not entitle you to worldly possessions (in fact this goes against Christ's words in Matthew 6:19-21).

So the question is, "what are our true spiritual blessings?"  Well, let's look in Ephesians 1...

#1: WE HAVE BEEN MADE HOLY & BLAMELESS - "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. (vs.4)"

#2: WE HAVE BEEN MADE CHILDREN OF GOD -  "In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance to His pleasure and will (vs.5)"

#3: WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN HIS GRACE - "to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One he loves. (vs.6)"

#4: WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED & FORGIVEN THROUGH CHIRST - "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace (vs.7)"

#5: WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING - "that He lavishes on us with all wisdom and understanding.  And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ. (vs.8-9)"

#6: WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN - "In Him we have been chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. (vs.11)"

#7:  WE HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT - "Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory. (vs. 13b-14)"

It is very clear that our blessing are first and foremost those of the spiritual nature.  We have been chosen and redeemed because of the glorious grace of God and for HIS GLORY.  While God has and does bless some financially and He has an amazing way of providing for us in times of need, sometimes His blessings are given once a believer steps form this life into the next.  

And really...aren't these blessing SO MUCH BETTER than those found on this earth.  Think about it.  Money can be spent, lost or stolen.  Health and our well being can change in an instant after a collision on the highway.  Even relationships with family and friends can go south given the right circumstances.  This world has been corrupted by sin (See Genesis 3) and therefore even though we have a hope in eternal rewards we do not seek the wealth of this world.  

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Many times we (including myself) read this verse and focus on "all these things".  We say well if I can just just seek God THEN I can get ALL THESE THINGS.  This is a sinful thought process because it puts the "things" before God.  When I realized this I was cut to the heart.

We should seek after God because of all those things He has done for us.  He died for our sins.  While we were wretched sinners deserving hell He stepped out of heaven and died so that we might have life and then He promised us incredible rewards in heaven...and we want more?

So next time you hear a TV preacher or friend claiming the right to be rich because that was what God wanted...remind then that God had bigger things in mind than cars and bling.  He had the redemption of man and the salvation of all those who would call upon His name.

To quote Paul, "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." Ephesians 1:3

For the glory of His name,

Deke