“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” —Ephesians 1:3 NKJV
By Leslie M. Grant
Ephesians, meaning “one desire,” is an epistle without any reproofs. It declares in fullest terms the grand counsels of God concerning His saints in this present dispensation of grace. The letter tells of their present spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ and their position “in Christ.” The believers “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (2:6).
Christ, in accordance with the glory of His person and the infinite virtue of His work, is the decreed Center of the blessing of the universe. “In Him” we have obtained an inheritance. He is seated on His Father’s throne and there represents us perfectly. Jewish and Gentile believers form “one body” united to Christ, the Head in glory.
As well as being the body of Christ, the Church is seen as the household of God, a building growing to a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God, and as eventually presented to Christ as a bride fitted for her Husband. Such truths were not known or prophesied of in former ages, but they are now revealed through apostles and New Testament prophets. Our conflict also is seen to be “in the heavenly places” (6:12) against spiritual hosts of wickedness – satanic powers engaged in opposing our discernment and enjoyment of the truth as to our rightful heavenly possessions.
No book is more important than Ephesians as to cultivating a character conformable to Christ in the proper home of our souls: heaven itself.