Know Him

We need to pay close attention to the prayers of the Apostle Paul for the churches he instructed through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  

In the first half of his prayer for Ephesus (1:16-17) we learn of a spirit of wisdom and revelation that is essential for cultivating first-hand knowledge of God.  As this spirit is given, emerging in us as we lean into the heart of our Father, the harmony of wisdom and revelation begins to sing within us.  The beauty of these two practices, never to be separated but always intertwined with purpose, provides us with the process we need to grow spiritually.

Wisdom (a sophisticated clarity) and revelation (an unveiling that you suddenly see or understand) are the two-fold dimensions of this spirit that are available to us in Christ.  Their purpose is so we might come into greater knowledge of the Father. Period.

Probably like you, I struggle with this being enough.  I struggle with drawing near to our heavenly Father to simply know Him.  I routinely attempt to leverage these moments for my personal benefit as if, ridiculously, I'm buttering Him up for my asks. God forgive me.

I wonder what would emerge if our spiritual lives functioned continually with a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know him? I suspect that the longings of our heart would be taken care of at the appointed time; that our concerns would become covered in His peace; that our fears would become enveloped by His Presence; and that we would be able to enter His rest in all of it.

Let's know Him.

Ex nihilo,

R.J. Rhoden

Every Spiritual Blessing

From his imprisonment, with a guard chained to him at all times, Paul is inspired to write: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).  Some time later Paul was dragged off and beheaded.

The flippant and self-centered way this scripture verse is interpreted, taught, and used today by so many is not only shameful but severely stifles spiritual maturity.  So let's set things straight.  Here are the cliff notes version:

Study

1.    Eulogetos:  1st use of blessing/ an adjective/ it is only used of God/ God alone is worthy of all this kind of blessing or praise from all people/ Blessed be the God
2.    Eulogeo:  2nd use of blessing/ an action/ it means that a good word has been spoken that confers that which is beneficial/ Christ did this and we are the recipients/ the One who has blessed us
3.    Eulogia:  3rd use of blessing/ a noun/ a bountiful gift or blessing that is the benefits of the blessings in Christ/ BUT this blessing comes with lots of clarity:  every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ
1. Every:  all our spiritual needs are provided in Christ
2. Spiritual:  Pneumatikos - the invisible sphere where the Holy Spirit brings faith and revelation (understanding) of Christ
3. In the Heavenly Realms:  Epouranios - epi "fitting" and ouranos "heaven" - we receive what is "fitting" from the standpoint of the heavenly realms
4. In Christ:  it came from Christ and is contained in Christ

Why Does This Matter?

1. Christ is to be received and honored, not so we can get all our little whims and wishes and limited perspectives satisfied, but so that we may be filled with all spiritual blessings from heaven.

2. Spiritual blessings are not necessarily connected to healings, miracles, or financial prosperity.  If they are, God will need to apologize to Paul.

3. If we focus on cultivating the spiritual blessings available to us in Christ (forgiveness, redemption, holiness, hope, peace, love, godly wisdom, joy, and so much more) then God will take care of the rest.

Have you fallen into the habit of only associating the blessings of Christ with those things that you want?  Those things that only align with your limited perspective?  

We receive what is "fitting" from the standpoint of the heavenly realms.  And the last time I checked, heaven does not consult with me on these matters!  This is why mature faith is so important.  It moves us into a place of contentment and peace and alignment with the heavenly realms regardless of our limitation in understanding His ways.  As for me, I hope to be found striving for that however challenging it might be.  For only in Christ is every spiritual blessing contained.

And then Paul was dragged off and beheaded.

Ex nihilo,

R.J. Rhoden