“Grace be to you and peace, from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”—Ephesians 1:2-3
The above opening text tells us clearly that God has blessed us (all Christians) with all (not some) spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. And given the backdrop that we are already present, bonafide and resident citizens of heaven (Ephesians 2:5-6; Hebrews 12:22; Philippians 3:20) we all have access to all of these spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
After all, God has already blessed us with them. The bible didn’t say he will bless us with them, but that he has already blessed us (past tense).
Then before we expatiate on what spiritual blessings mean from scriptures, let’s look at a seconding scripture to the opening text. Because a matter must be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”—2Peter 1:3
The above scripture tells us again that God by his divine power (Power of the Holy Spirit) has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (all spiritual blessings) through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue.
What Are Spiritual Blessings?
The very next question to be answered—is what and what constitute these spiritual blessings or these things that pertain unto life and godliness? We can get the answer in Revelation 5:12:
“Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessings”
These are all spiritual blessings. And he (Jesus) received them for us. And they have been given to us for life and godliness. They have been given to us to live as Kings and Priests that we are here on earth. They have been given to us to live as gods that we are here on earth (Psalm 82:5-6). They have been given to us to shine our light so men may see our good works and give glory to our God (Matthew 5:16).
Amongst other things, they have been given to us to show forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2: 9).
The Tragedy
The tragedy and the irony of this scriptural truth is that many a believer’s life is the polar opposite of these heavenly blessings or graces. In spite of this truth, believers still live beggarly and ungodly lifestyle.
They still live defeated and pathetic lifestyles. They still struggle with infirmities in spite of the strength. They still wallow in lack and want in spite of the riches. They swim in foolishness and stupidity in spite of the wisdom. They live shameful lives in spite of the honor and glory in them.
They lack signs and wonders in their lives and ministries. And even get oppressed by devils and die like flies in spite of the almighty power of God that is resident in them.
Because of these disheartening and dismal situation of believers in the Church today, we want to see scripturally, how these spiritual blessings or graces that God has lavished on every believer, can be activated for our profiting…
So people can indeed glorify God in our lives instead of blaspheming.
How to Activate the Grace Within
- Knowledge: “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundation of the earth are out of course. I have said ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High”—Psalm 82:5-6. Knowledge, especially revelational knowledge of God’s word, is the major tool for activating all the spiritual treasures deposited in us according to the scriptures.Thus, the Apostle Paul prays for believers, that God should give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. So we can know what the hope of his calling; and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…And the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward according to the working of his mighty power (Ephesians 1:17-19).
To activate the graces of God, deposited in you, dig into the word of God with prayers and consistent meditation. And also, you can get books from people you have judged to have already gotten these graces activated in their lives with empirical evidence.
And as you grow in the revelational truth of God’s word, you are sure to see these deposits of God in your life gain practical expression in your lifestyle.
- Faith: Another important tool for activating the grace of God within you is faith. That is, action backed and persistent faith. The first step to activating the grace of God is revelational knowledge of God’s word.Then after receiving knowledge of what God has put in you, in your heart; the very next thing is to step out on the knowledge in faith. The word of God says all things are possible to him that believes (Mark 9:23). As you receive the revelational knowledge of God’s deposit in you, you are to meditate on it, confess it and act on it always.And when you do, you must do so with persistence and patience to the very end. You must not give up because you’ve not started recording the expected results. You must believe until you obtain the good reports like the elders in Hebrews 11:2.
- Prayers: Prayers is a major tool for activating the graces of God deposited in you. Then you can add fasting (often) to your prayers for greater results. Through prayers, you receive revelation from God. Through prayers, especially praying in the Holy Ghost, you build up yourself in your most Holy Faith (Jude 1:20).And this most holy faith, helps activate or stir up the graces of God in you. Hence, the word of God says, the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man (like us) avails much—James 5:16.
- Godliness: A godly lifestyle activates the graces of God in a believer. While an ungodly lifestyle on the other hand, suppresses these blessings of God. Hence, the word of God tells us:“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”—2 Timothy 2:20-21.These are the ways to activate the graces of God in you. I pray the Lord give you more light concerning this matter in Jesus Name!
Remain Blessed!
Emeke Odili
