Blessed in Christ

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."1

Blessed, this word means happy, conferred favor, literally it is to "make long, large" True blessings are heavenly ones, more than promises of earthly land and materialistic things, but of heavenly, spiritual things that "make large" our hearts, not our bellies. Truly, it is to eat the bread from heaven, eternal life. Now, our heavenly Father promises to meet our physical needs. God's Grace is an example of a spiritual blessing, it is extended to us, lavished upon us, it is conferred favor undeserved, a true gift and blessing from God. Faith is authored in us, it is truly a blessing that we receive from its author. This adoption we receive, it is truly a blessing from above, a new creation in Christ Jesus. This is an amazing thing, "indeed, as many the promises of God, in Him they are Yes and Amen, for the glory of God through us."2 We are blessed in Christ.

Every spiritual blessing in the heavens is promised to us who believe, "blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"2 This is for the blessing of God, to the Glory of God, as this word here for blessed is used only of Him in the Bible, it means He is worthy of praise. Its root word means I bless, (from eu, "good, well" and lógos, "word") which properly means "good word," or to confer what is beneficial. Now, I can speak well to you, but if I speak the Good Word, this is much more beneficial to you. In fact, if logos is Word and Christ is the Word of God then blessings is to confer what is beneficial to you in Christ. Of course, if I see my brother's physical need and close my heart to him saying bless you, I have conferred Christ to him? A true blessing in Christ, when we find Him worthy of our praise.

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."5

Now, Abraham was blessed not through the Law but through faith, blessings come through faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God and to be rewarded or blessed by Him. "Without faith moreover it is impossible to please, indeed to believe it is necessary to approach God, that he exists and to those seeking Him a rewarder He becomes."4 oh, I hope you see, the reward comes in the approaching, the abiding, in the drawing near, the pressing in, the banging on the door for this bread from heaven! This persistence is a key principle of the kingdom, "to boldly approach the throne of Grace to receive Grace and Mercy as needed." This word for approach also means to draw near, and truly that I can by Grace, is a reward in Christ.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."9

Abiding, resting in Jesus is a true blessing. "Come to me all those toiling and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."6 The Sabbath points to a blessing. Even to those of the old covenant the "good news" came, but many failed to enter the rest as they did not abide in God, nor did the scriptures abide in them because of disobedience, and they were not united by faith. Even then the Word was near them, while not born from above they received the Spirit of God by abiding in the Word. Blessing comes in resting in the Word who is Jesus. Submission, delight, you can only rest, abide, in Him if you are obedient. Let us not rest in the day and forget the Word. The Word is active and living, all is exposed in this rest, we must endure, press in. We have such a true blessing, a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, "for by Grace through faith" in Jesus are we saved, "let us then with confidence approach (draw near) to the throne of grace,"8 

There is hope and a future blessing. "He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."11 Jesus the blessed hope, "for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,"8 This blessed hope is a glory that will be revealed in us.9 By Jesus our hope.10 "that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."12 This hope is manifested to us in the Word, "In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word,"14 This hope is poured out in our hearts, "hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."15 "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,"16

It is a blessing to be able to approach the Father. "Indeed, to believe it is necessary to approach God, that he exists and to those seeking Him a rewarder He becomes."17  We must approach God to believe, we must seek, ask, and knock for this bread from heaven. The promise is that we will be rewarded, blessed. Such a reward! This word for reward is from two words meaning "reward" and "give from" as in relation to a recompense. Now, true blessings are spiritual blessings, and surely it starts with favor undeserved that leads to salvation. "For by Grace are you saved through faith..." it is a gift, given, granted, extended, to the one asking. "And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."18 Such an inheritance into the Kingdom of God, surely the greatest blessing in Christ.

Blessed Assurance

The heavenly Father is pouring, into the hearts of men, spiritual blessings from the heavenlies.