"Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord of us Jesus Christ, he having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ."1
"Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord of us Jesus Christ" This word for blessed is eulogétos, "worthy of praise" properly, "speak well of"; to celebrate by praising; it is the root of the English terms, "eulogize, eulogy." An eulogy speaks well of a person and Paul gives such eulogy to the Father and the Son in whom the blessings of God, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms comes. We equate spiritual blessing with heavenly blessing, these riches of heaven we receive in Christ.
“Hosanna! Blessed who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of the father of us, David, Hosanna on highest!”3
To understand the riches we receive in Christ we must establish the legitimate rule of Christ. We see in Christ all blessings and promises come. Israel received a saviour, he came among his own, his own received him not. Hosanna means "Oh, save now!" or "save, I pray" which implies a saviour has come. He was not as they expected, they were earthly bound. Though not recognized by the Jews of the flesh the kingdom on earth passed to Christ, legitimately from David. In Christ all the promises are Yes and amen. And all the nations are blessed in Christ. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm we richly receive in Christ. "Blessed is the coming kingdom of the father of us..." This word for blessed is eulogeó, properly, to speak (reason) which confers benefit; hence, bless. This blessing is to "confer what is beneficial." Mercy is beneficial, it is a blessing like sight is to the blind, "two blind men followed Him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"4
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."5
"Nor will people say, 'Look, here it is,' or 'There it is.' For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst."8
Kingdom Riches. It is important to establish that we receive these riches in Christ, who is the promised Seed, who is the son of David, and rightful King. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world."8a, As John writes one day all things will be finished, all things will be new, including a new earth, but until then his kingdom is of heaven. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come but Jesus said it would not come with observable signs, one can not say, look there it is, but He also said that it was in their midst, so it is here, though not observable like an earthly kingdom would be. Until all is fulfilled, His throne is in heaven, and we pray His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
"and so all Israel will be saved, as it is written the deliverer will come out of Zion, he will remove ungodliness from Jacob."9
Much theology rests on the translation of this one phrase "all Israel will be saved" and this one word "all." This word all is pas, "each, every; each part(s) of a totality" which means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." So the question becomes who is the part that applies? we see in context, it is the elect, "people whom he foreknew" and they are called the remnant. Like the scriptures speak of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel. Elijah thinks he is the only one, all had bowed to Baal, but God says, he is a part of a remnant. This is a picture of Christ, through Him all (every part of) Israel is saved.
"since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith."9a
Rich Salvation. The elect, is "all," of those God foreknew, and they are the remnant, chosen by grace, "So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace."10a "If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." And if they are the remnant chosen by grace then they have access to grace through faith in Christ.10b Great riches we have in faith, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."10c Paul writes Christ is the author of our salvation and he is the author of our faith, whereby we have access to grace and these other heavenly riches in Christ. This chosen remnant by grace is what the Gentiles are grafted into, it is the apostles of the early Church, with Christ being the foundation stone. As John writes Christ is the Word, through Him all things were created, being in the beginning with God and who was God, thus Christ authored or founded the world.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."11
Rich in Promise. Did God reject His people, whom He foreknew? no, we see the promises of God pass through Christ to the remnant of Israel but not just to Israel to all peoples and nations. In Christ we receive the promises of God, these are all Yes and Amen in Christ. We hear much talk about earthly promises, which equate to earthly blessings. Most I believe are founded in the promise of the old covenant, of land and an earthly kingdom of Israel. But we see here in this verse this Kingdom in Christ was prepared from the foundation of the world. We know the King is Christ, the son of David. It is a picture of the promise, of grace not of works, like Esau who bows to the younger. Paul writes this was planned in the beginning in Christ. In such is being displayed the manifold wisdom of God, and such is good news being made known through the Church, not an earthly kingdom.
"For the law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.12
Rich in Fullness. He came to His own people, but they did not receive Him, but to those who did receive him, "who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,13 "who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." This is a great blessing in Christ, inheritance into the Kingdom, which is not of flesh and blood, it is not of circumcision of the flesh, but of Spirit. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God.”14 Jesus came from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 And "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."16 The Kingdom of heaven has many riches, grace and truth is the fullness of Christ we receive.
“For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”17
Rich in Truth. The world was made through Christ, yet the world did not know him.18 It is amazing, they had the Law, the Temple, the prophets, the scriptures, but they did not know Him, the Truth. This is why he came to be a Light, and to bear witness of the truth. "To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"19 These receive the first fruit of the Spirit, a Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father! His children eagerly await for full adoption, the redemption of our bodies. So we see the Kingdom is not at fullness so we pray "on earth as in heaven." We are being transformed to the image of the Son, among a fallen world, to be a light and to bear witness to the Light. From the heavenly realms we receive the riches of heaven, spiritual blessings. Lets look more at what these riches are.
"who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the full possession, to the praise of His glory."21
Rich in Inheritance. We receive an inheritance in Christ, "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,"22 The Spirit is our guarantee, this word for guarantee, is like earnest-money, a deposit of a large part of the possession. So we are born of Spirit, we are formed inwardly, we have been given this right to become children of God, such is a great spiritual blessing. And we are being transformed outwardly from the inward, and one day we will be transfigured, made complete in body, having full possession of the inheritance, not as servants or slaves, but as children of God. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."22a This is the good pleasure of His will, the riches of his grace.
"to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the beloved"23
Rich in Grace. In Christ we are richly given Grace, it is a spiritual blessing. Why? "that he might show in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."24 All are assigned to disobedience so that his grace abounds, that we might be saved. This word for surpassing, "to throw beyond the usual mark." We know sin is missing the mark and the Law entered so sin would abound but where sin abounded, grace over abounded.25 Put another way, grace is surpassing, thrown beyond sin. This word surpassing is used for God's power, which works under grace to give us dominion over sin.26 Surpassing knowledge is used of the love of Christ, which we are being rooted and grounded in. And of how the old covenant glory of a "ministry of condemnation" is surpassed in the new by the glory of a "ministry of righteousness." A rich gift, the abundance of grace and the gift righteousness given according to the riches of his glory.27
"that he might give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in your inner being, for to dwell Christ, through faith, in your hearts, in love being rooted and being founded."28
Rich in Hope. We have access into this grace in which we stand by faith. We see this inseparable connection between love and faith; grace and truth. By faith, the Spirit of God dwells in us, Christ dwells in me, I am being rooted and founded in love. Grace and truth is the fullness of Christ, by love he gave himself and in his blood is founded the new covenant."There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called into one hope of your calling."29 Rich is hope, "Now, abides, faith, hope, and love..." such are great spiritual blessings. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."29b "According to the riches of his glory," his power is being perfected in us, in such His grace is sufficient. Great riches in surpassing power, in love rooted and founded, and in hope that doesn't disappoint.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!"30
Rich in Mercy. These blessings are given according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us in all wisdom and understanding.30a This was according to the good pleasure of his will, so that through the riches of his grace His kindness is shown.31 In the kingdom of God, mercy triumphs judgment.32 Jesus said, "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice," and "Blessed the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."33 Those who are not merciful, these who pass judgment while they do the same, Paul writes, "the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, despise you, not knowing that the kindness of God leads to repentance?" "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."34 Like grace, mercy is a rich blessing. In Christ we receive a rich spiritual blessing in mercy; redemption, the forgiveness of sin.
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near."35
Rich in Peace. Indeed, in Christ is peace. Peace we have because the dividing wall of hostility is broken down. This happened in two ways. One is that two have become one, where there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, "that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,"36 Second is that the law of commandments has been annulled.37 There is a Dispensation of Grace.38 The Jew broke covenant with God, the penalty was death, but "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us."39 He is released from the old covenant guardian of the Law, this hostility Christ took in the flesh of him, as under grace this hostility of the flesh is released from us, "reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility." “Blessed the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."40
"that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being... that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."43
Rich in Glory. In this fullness of God Christ came, of Grace and Truth. We are being strengthened by the Spirit. How is this? it is as Paul writes we find his grace is sufficient for us, as his power is being perfected in us. This strength comes as Christ is dwelling in our hearts, we being rooted and grounded in love. This strength allows us to comprehend, with all the saints, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we are filled with all the fullness of God, of Grace and Truth. This is according to His glorious riches. We are freely given this glory in Christ.43b When we first trusted in Him.43c The guarantee of the inheritance by the Spirit is from this glory.43c Given by the Father of glory, from His glory we receive a Spirit of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of Him.43d This Spirit enlightens the eyes of our heart in order that we perceive what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glorious inheritance of him, in the saints.43e We rejoice in tribulation because it brings glory.43f This glory is to be manifested through the Church.43g
"to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."44
Rich Man. Rich is the man who enters into reasonable service of God, he is not being conformed to the world but is being transformed by the renewing of his mind.45 He is putting off the old man, and putting on the new man. This is what separates the child from the man, "because you are strong. and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one."46 Rich men find that the riches of grace are sufficient for them, that his rich power is perfecting them. Oh, to be rich in Christ, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Knowing Christ surpasses all worth of this world. Such is amazing riches in his grace, knowing the love of Christ, such love has infinite dimensions, it continues to excel, throwing beyond the mark.
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."47
Rich in Sacrifice. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children." We see such example in Christ, though we were undeserving he gave himself as a loving friend would. Operating inside the principle of Liberty is the principle of love. If I judge my brother for breaking some law or rule and such causes him to stumble, what is more important to God, that I judge another or that I not cause someone to stumble? Walking in brotherly love is not optional, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another."48 This is my reasonable service to present my body a living sacrifice.49 If we have understanding of such riches, of love, mercy, and forgiveness we would treat others much like we treat ourselves. "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
"walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."50
Rich Unity. There is One; body, Spirit, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father.50a And One grace, "moreover, one grace to each of us has been given, according to the gift of Christ."50b From the "riches of grace," and "according to measure of the gift of Christ," who in fullness is grace and truth, we receive the riches of heaven. What if God lavished upon us gold? would we see the riches in such? but grace is a rich gift, lavished upon us, grace upon grace. When we understand such riches of His love we will be in Unity, "bearing with one another in love." Jesus said the world would know He is from the Father by such Unity, and that we are His disciples by our love for one another. The riches of heaven sometimes means I must sacrifice for another.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the dominion of his might."51
Rich in Might. This word for might, "ability, might" properly, force in overcoming immediate resistance. This word for dominion has a root word meaning to perfect, complete. Dominion comes as we are being perfected in the Lord, in His strength and might. The battle is in the spiritual realm, therefore I need spirtual blessings. Let us go on to put on the armor of God, but first we must be rooted and founded in Christ, in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. Earthly things will never satisfy the hungry soul, thus such things are not the riches of heaven. The streets of heaven are paved with gold, such should remind us that what is valued on earth is not what is valued in heaven. Let us be blessed by the Father of glory, in the riches of glory, in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. Let us be rich in Christ.
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
“Hosanna! Blessed who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of the father of us, David, Hosanna on highest!”3
To understand the riches we receive in Christ we must establish the legitimate rule of Christ. We see in Christ all blessings and promises come. Israel received a saviour, he came among his own, his own received him not. Hosanna means "Oh, save now!" or "save, I pray" which implies a saviour has come. He was not as they expected, they were earthly bound. Though not recognized by the Jews of the flesh the kingdom on earth passed to Christ, legitimately from David. In Christ all the promises are Yes and amen. And all the nations are blessed in Christ. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm we richly receive in Christ. "Blessed is the coming kingdom of the father of us..." This word for blessed is eulogeó, properly, to speak (reason) which confers benefit; hence, bless. This blessing is to "confer what is beneficial." Mercy is beneficial, it is a blessing like sight is to the blind, "two blind men followed Him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"4
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."5
This word for blessed is makarios, "happy." "Happy are the poor in spirit" why? "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This word for poor speaks of a contrite spirit, one that shows remorse for shortcoming, the kind that fulfills the law of Christ, gently lifting burdens. Thus "happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Meek and lowly is the heart of Christ, thus "Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" why? "for they shall be satisfied." “Happy are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."6 Happy are those who have such great riches in Christ; adoption (they shall see God and be called sons of God), rest (for they shall be satisfied and comforted), and inheritance (theirs is the kingdom of heaven and they shall inherit the earth.)
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world.”7
Happy are these who have great riches in Christ; adoption, inheritance, comfort, satisfaction, and mercy. Now, I ask do the things of this world make one happy? not the happy that endures unto Life. Earthly things will not satisfy the soul, thus earthly blessings will never make one truly happy. So we see true blessings are spiritual, having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. Spiritual blessings are greatly valued by those who seek them, they satisfy the soul. Like the peace of God that surpasses understanding, though the storms of life whirl around, we can be at peace. Happy are those who enter His rest, an indescribable spiritual blessing. Truly, we see the riches of heaven and that blessings of God that are spiritual blessings, they come from the heavenly realms in Christ.
"Nor will people say, 'Look, here it is,' or 'There it is.' For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst."8
Kingdom Riches. It is important to establish that we receive these riches in Christ, who is the promised Seed, who is the son of David, and rightful King. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world."8a, As John writes one day all things will be finished, all things will be new, including a new earth, but until then his kingdom is of heaven. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come but Jesus said it would not come with observable signs, one can not say, look there it is, but He also said that it was in their midst, so it is here, though not observable like an earthly kingdom would be. Until all is fulfilled, His throne is in heaven, and we pray His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
"and so all Israel will be saved, as it is written the deliverer will come out of Zion, he will remove ungodliness from Jacob."9
Much theology rests on the translation of this one phrase "all Israel will be saved" and this one word "all." This word all is pas, "each, every; each part(s) of a totality" which means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." So the question becomes who is the part that applies? we see in context, it is the elect, "people whom he foreknew" and they are called the remnant. Like the scriptures speak of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel. Elijah thinks he is the only one, all had bowed to Baal, but God says, he is a part of a remnant. This is a picture of Christ, through Him all (every part of) Israel is saved.
"since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith."9a
Rich Salvation. The elect, is "all," of those God foreknew, and they are the remnant, chosen by grace, "So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace."10a "If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." And if they are the remnant chosen by grace then they have access to grace through faith in Christ.10b Great riches we have in faith, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."10c Paul writes Christ is the author of our salvation and he is the author of our faith, whereby we have access to grace and these other heavenly riches in Christ. This chosen remnant by grace is what the Gentiles are grafted into, it is the apostles of the early Church, with Christ being the foundation stone. As John writes Christ is the Word, through Him all things were created, being in the beginning with God and who was God, thus Christ authored or founded the world.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."11
Rich in Promise. Did God reject His people, whom He foreknew? no, we see the promises of God pass through Christ to the remnant of Israel but not just to Israel to all peoples and nations. In Christ we receive the promises of God, these are all Yes and Amen in Christ. We hear much talk about earthly promises, which equate to earthly blessings. Most I believe are founded in the promise of the old covenant, of land and an earthly kingdom of Israel. But we see here in this verse this Kingdom in Christ was prepared from the foundation of the world. We know the King is Christ, the son of David. It is a picture of the promise, of grace not of works, like Esau who bows to the younger. Paul writes this was planned in the beginning in Christ. In such is being displayed the manifold wisdom of God, and such is good news being made known through the Church, not an earthly kingdom.
"For the law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.12
Rich in Fullness. He came to His own people, but they did not receive Him, but to those who did receive him, "who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,13 "who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." This is a great blessing in Christ, inheritance into the Kingdom, which is not of flesh and blood, it is not of circumcision of the flesh, but of Spirit. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God.”14 Jesus came from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 And "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."16 The Kingdom of heaven has many riches, grace and truth is the fullness of Christ we receive.
“For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”17
Rich in Truth. The world was made through Christ, yet the world did not know him.18 It is amazing, they had the Law, the Temple, the prophets, the scriptures, but they did not know Him, the Truth. This is why he came to be a Light, and to bear witness of the truth. "To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"19 These receive the first fruit of the Spirit, a Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father! His children eagerly await for full adoption, the redemption of our bodies. So we see the Kingdom is not at fullness so we pray "on earth as in heaven." We are being transformed to the image of the Son, among a fallen world, to be a light and to bear witness to the Light. From the heavenly realms we receive the riches of heaven, spiritual blessings. Lets look more at what these riches are.
"who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the full possession, to the praise of His glory."21
Rich in Inheritance. We receive an inheritance in Christ, "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,"22 The Spirit is our guarantee, this word for guarantee, is like earnest-money, a deposit of a large part of the possession. So we are born of Spirit, we are formed inwardly, we have been given this right to become children of God, such is a great spiritual blessing. And we are being transformed outwardly from the inward, and one day we will be transfigured, made complete in body, having full possession of the inheritance, not as servants or slaves, but as children of God. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."22a This is the good pleasure of His will, the riches of his grace.
"to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the beloved"23
Rich in Grace. In Christ we are richly given Grace, it is a spiritual blessing. Why? "that he might show in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."24 All are assigned to disobedience so that his grace abounds, that we might be saved. This word for surpassing, "to throw beyond the usual mark." We know sin is missing the mark and the Law entered so sin would abound but where sin abounded, grace over abounded.25 Put another way, grace is surpassing, thrown beyond sin. This word surpassing is used for God's power, which works under grace to give us dominion over sin.26 Surpassing knowledge is used of the love of Christ, which we are being rooted and grounded in. And of how the old covenant glory of a "ministry of condemnation" is surpassed in the new by the glory of a "ministry of righteousness." A rich gift, the abundance of grace and the gift righteousness given according to the riches of his glory.27
"that he might give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in your inner being, for to dwell Christ, through faith, in your hearts, in love being rooted and being founded."28
Rich in Hope. We have access into this grace in which we stand by faith. We see this inseparable connection between love and faith; grace and truth. By faith, the Spirit of God dwells in us, Christ dwells in me, I am being rooted and founded in love. Grace and truth is the fullness of Christ, by love he gave himself and in his blood is founded the new covenant."There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called into one hope of your calling."29 Rich is hope, "Now, abides, faith, hope, and love..." such are great spiritual blessings. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."29b "According to the riches of his glory," his power is being perfected in us, in such His grace is sufficient. Great riches in surpassing power, in love rooted and founded, and in hope that doesn't disappoint.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!"30
Rich in Mercy. These blessings are given according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us in all wisdom and understanding.30a This was according to the good pleasure of his will, so that through the riches of his grace His kindness is shown.31 In the kingdom of God, mercy triumphs judgment.32 Jesus said, "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice," and "Blessed the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."33 Those who are not merciful, these who pass judgment while they do the same, Paul writes, "the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, despise you, not knowing that the kindness of God leads to repentance?" "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."34 Like grace, mercy is a rich blessing. In Christ we receive a rich spiritual blessing in mercy; redemption, the forgiveness of sin.
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near."35
Rich in Peace. Indeed, in Christ is peace. Peace we have because the dividing wall of hostility is broken down. This happened in two ways. One is that two have become one, where there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, "that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,"36 Second is that the law of commandments has been annulled.37 There is a Dispensation of Grace.38 The Jew broke covenant with God, the penalty was death, but "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us."39 He is released from the old covenant guardian of the Law, this hostility Christ took in the flesh of him, as under grace this hostility of the flesh is released from us, "reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility." “Blessed the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."40
"that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being... that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."43
Rich in Glory. In this fullness of God Christ came, of Grace and Truth. We are being strengthened by the Spirit. How is this? it is as Paul writes we find his grace is sufficient for us, as his power is being perfected in us. This strength comes as Christ is dwelling in our hearts, we being rooted and grounded in love. This strength allows us to comprehend, with all the saints, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we are filled with all the fullness of God, of Grace and Truth. This is according to His glorious riches. We are freely given this glory in Christ.43b When we first trusted in Him.43c The guarantee of the inheritance by the Spirit is from this glory.43c Given by the Father of glory, from His glory we receive a Spirit of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of Him.43d This Spirit enlightens the eyes of our heart in order that we perceive what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glorious inheritance of him, in the saints.43e We rejoice in tribulation because it brings glory.43f This glory is to be manifested through the Church.43g
"to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."44
Rich Man. Rich is the man who enters into reasonable service of God, he is not being conformed to the world but is being transformed by the renewing of his mind.45 He is putting off the old man, and putting on the new man. This is what separates the child from the man, "because you are strong. and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one."46 Rich men find that the riches of grace are sufficient for them, that his rich power is perfecting them. Oh, to be rich in Christ, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Knowing Christ surpasses all worth of this world. Such is amazing riches in his grace, knowing the love of Christ, such love has infinite dimensions, it continues to excel, throwing beyond the mark.
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."47
Rich in Sacrifice. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children." We see such example in Christ, though we were undeserving he gave himself as a loving friend would. Operating inside the principle of Liberty is the principle of love. If I judge my brother for breaking some law or rule and such causes him to stumble, what is more important to God, that I judge another or that I not cause someone to stumble? Walking in brotherly love is not optional, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another."48 This is my reasonable service to present my body a living sacrifice.49 If we have understanding of such riches, of love, mercy, and forgiveness we would treat others much like we treat ourselves. "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
"walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."50
Rich Unity. There is One; body, Spirit, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father.50a And One grace, "moreover, one grace to each of us has been given, according to the gift of Christ."50b From the "riches of grace," and "according to measure of the gift of Christ," who in fullness is grace and truth, we receive the riches of heaven. What if God lavished upon us gold? would we see the riches in such? but grace is a rich gift, lavished upon us, grace upon grace. When we understand such riches of His love we will be in Unity, "bearing with one another in love." Jesus said the world would know He is from the Father by such Unity, and that we are His disciples by our love for one another. The riches of heaven sometimes means I must sacrifice for another.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the dominion of his might."51
Rich in Might. This word for might, "ability, might" properly, force in overcoming immediate resistance. This word for dominion has a root word meaning to perfect, complete. Dominion comes as we are being perfected in the Lord, in His strength and might. The battle is in the spiritual realm, therefore I need spirtual blessings. Let us go on to put on the armor of God, but first we must be rooted and founded in Christ, in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. Earthly things will never satisfy the hungry soul, thus such things are not the riches of heaven. The streets of heaven are paved with gold, such should remind us that what is valued on earth is not what is valued in heaven. Let us be blessed by the Father of glory, in the riches of glory, in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. Let us be rich in Christ.
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)