Friday, June 20, 2014
Ephesians 1:3-4 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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
GOD AND FATHER
When Paul came to Athens and addressed the Areopagites, he noted that God had never been far from them all, for "In him we live and move and have our being." Even the pagan poets of Greece acknowledged the power and wisdom of God's creation, saying, "For we are indeed his offspring" (Acts 17:28). In the sense that God has made the world and us, He is the Father of all.
But Scripture reveals a far greater meaning to the term "Father" in connection with the Triune God. In an unparalleled way, He is also revealed as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This unique Son of God was with the Father in the beginning, even before the heavens and earth were created. He was sent by the Father, given to take our place, live the life we should, and die the death we deserve, "that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
In Christ the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This is not just fuel to keep our bodies functioning, but that which reconciles us to God, who is spirit (John 4:24). Peace with God is a spiritual blessing, and means harmony with the Holy Creator who gives life to all. As Jesus prayed to His Father: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3).
