Shauna rejoices as she experiences security in the fact that “God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus is God’s gracious gift to humanity who willingly chose to be separated from the life of God (Eph.4:18), and in Christ, God came seeking lost humanity to bring us back to the life of God.
By the sacrificial death of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead, He reconciled the lost and restored the broken relationship between God and humanity. God has gifts stored up for us, and it’s a joy to know what those gifts are. Gifts are important to us. Shauna remembers all the gifts she received over the years and still receives on her birthday and other festive occasions. She joyfully opens the beautifully wrapped gifts.
The Apostle Paul begins to unwrap the gifts for us as he explains: that we are chosen by the Father (1:4-6), set free from the captivity of sin, Satan and death, indeed redeemed by the Son, who revealed to us His eternal purpose (1:7-12); and, what a joy the experiential reality of being sealed by the Holy Spirit (1:13-14); all to the praise of His glory (1:6, 12, 14). Our security is in Jesus Christ, for the Holy Spirit seals us. The power of God stands guaranteed as our shield against the deceptive schemes of Satan.
By forgiving our sins and sealing the believers with the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives us back our self-respect. We can walk with our heads held high as children of God. And the seal also shows that God accepts us in Jesus Christ, whoever we might be. Jesus gives us a love for life. We overcome fear by faith. When we are filled with God’s Word (Col.3:16) and the Spirit daily (Eph. 5:18), every spiritual blessing is ours as we abide in Jesus Christ.