The essence of the entire Bible can be summarised in the fact that God Who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) has been reaching out to save and restore the fallen mankind. The extension of the grace and mercy is visibly expressed in the coming of God’s Son Jesus Christ in flesh (John 1:14) as the Redeemer of mankind.
The Letter of the Apostle Paul to Ephesians gives as an in-depth, yet limited understanding of the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph 3:8), that are made available for the restoration and renewal of man. What can we learn about the responsibility and purpose of the spiritual blessings that are provided for us?
1. Know Your Riches. (Eph.1:18) “ … that you may know..”. Can you imagine someone living as a poor beggar for years, and then one day came to know that he/she is a rich person? It seems that Christians in Ephesus were unaware of the spiritual inheritance and the heavenly riches they were entitled to enjoy and live with! God has promised to transfer all the resources of heaven at the disposal of a child of God, who accepts Jesus Christ as the Saviour. Ignorance of your privileges and rights can rob you of your inheritance and the purpose of your life. Knowing your God-given graces, gifts and blessings is a surety against a poverty mentality. Make sure you tap into the resources God has promised by prayer, Bible reading, meditation, and a spirit filled life.
2. Flow in Your Riches (Eph. 3:19) “.. that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”. Knowing gets you to a flowing in the spiritual riches in Christ. A river overflows when it cannot contain the water; a vessel overflows when it is kept full to the brink and still receives the flow in it; a soul that is filled with the joy and peace of Christ also cannot be stagnant. Flow in the fullness of God! When the believer is immersed in the riches of God, he/she does not have to restrain or refrain but to be filled to the brink and live a life of abundance in the Holy Spirit. It is at your disposal.
3. Grow in Your Riches (Eph. 4:18) “..that we should no longer be children..”. Growing in the riches of God means to be mature and responsible in Christian life and service. It requires steadiness, establishment, accountability and unity with in the community of faith where you are planted. Slow growth and nil growth should not be overlooked! A believer who knows and possesses the spiritual blessings and is flowing in the same ought to grow and become mature in the company of believers and by the Word and Spirit of God. Childishness, insecurity, attention seeking, showing off, withdrawal and similar behaviours are indications of not growing in the godly riches at our disposal.
4. Glow with Your Riches (Eph.5:26,27). “ that he might sanctify and cleanse; .. that he might present her to Himself a glorious church..”. God’s riches are not simply to restore the fallen man here on earth, but it has eternal implications. Restoration of man does not end when the believer who is saved by the grace of God, and flowing and growing in the riches of God, has finished his/her course here on earth. God’s riches and spiritual blessings are to sanctify us and make us glow here temporarily, but it also leads us to share in the glorious presence of our Redeemer throughout eternity. The Apostle Paul wrote, “ There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory”.(1 Corinthians 15:40,41). God’s riches will take us to His rest where the believer glows for evermore. Hallelujah!
Dear brother, sister and friend in Christ, if you did not know your spiritual prosperity through Christ do not stay ignorant. Begin to flow and grow in heavenly riches and be a blessing to the dying societies and the world around us. We shall be changed and made into the likeness of Christ, when he shall appear. Soon. Amen.
Pastor Joe Kurian
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