Our Spiritual Blessings In Christ

We can only experience every spiritual blessing from God through our union with Christ. Apart from our relationship with Him, which is always by grace through faith, we cannot experience all that God has prepared for us. Therefore, it is important to remain in Him regardless of our circumstances. Everyday of our lives we must pay attention to Him. We must keep Him front and center in our thoughts and in our hearts. This is the reason why we practice spiritual disciplines. They aren't meant to make us righteous or to attain self-righteousness but to help us depend on Christ who is our only true righteousness.

Our reconciliation with God is always dependent on our faith in Christ. We all sin, but through Christ we can always find forgiveness and restoration. The apostle John says in ‭1 John 1:8-10, "[8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us." Again he says in ‭1 John 2:1-2, "[1] My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. [2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

Our true identity is always dependent on Christ. We cannot find our true identity apart from Him. All that we can attain by self-effort are false identities based on our false selves. The apostle Paul says in ‭Ephesians 2:4-7, "[4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. [6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." We are alive now in Christ Jesus and our true identity is based on Him. In Him we have been elevated into a new status as children of God. The is what the apostle John says in ‭John 1:12-13, "[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." Again, the apostle Paul concurs with this in ‭2 Corinthians 5:17, "[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Our transformation is only possible through faith in Christ. We cannot change our hearts, which is really the source of all our problems. Our character can only be transformed by the word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul teaches us in ‭2 Corinthians 3:17-18, "[17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." As we offer our bodies to the Lord as a living sacrifice of worship, we experience transformation through the renewing of our minds. Paul tells us in ‭Romans 12:1-2, "‬[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Our purpose or mission in life can only be discovered in Christ. Without Him, our lives will remain purposeless and without meaning or significance. We will try all kinds of activities in order to feel significant through our accomplishments. But in the end we will remain unfulfilled. Only through Christ can we find our true fulfillment in this life and in the life to come. Jesus said in ‭John 15:4, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." According to the apostle Paul also in ‭Ephesians 2:8-10, "[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Last but not least, we cannot persevere in this life, with all its sufferings and trials, apart from faith in Christ. He is the author and finisher of the faith. We can only finish our race through faith in Him. If we don't remain in Him, life's trials and tribulations will eat us alive. The author of the Book of Hebrews says in ‭Hebrews 12:1-3, "[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Again, he says in ‭Hebrews 13:20-21, "[20] Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

In other words, apart from Christ we can do nothing. Let us remain in Him always. Pay attention to Him as He leads us in this life. Together with the Psalmist, let us repeat these words...

[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6)