Read Ephesians 2:1-22.

In Ephesians, Paul tells us God has “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

There are at least ten benefits of our connection to Christ, ten blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. First, we have been resurrected from sin and death (see Ephesians 2:1). It sounds basic, but the number-one lie concerning the Christian faith is that if you’re a good person, then you go to heaven. The Truth is you and I were born spiritually dead—and dead people can’t do good works!

The second benefit is that we have been lovingly transformed (see v. 3). Once we were objects of God’s wrath, but because Jesus paid for our sins, now we are objects of God’s mercy. The third benefit is the flip side of the first: We have been given a new life (see v. 5). When you came to Christ in confession and repentance, inviting Him to be Lord of your life, He breathed new life into your dead spirit.

Fourth, we now have a purpose for living (see vv. 6-9). Wherever we are, we are to live as representatives of heaven here on earth. The fifth benefit is that we have been given good works to do (see v. 10). These works do not save us; rather, now that we are saved, we get to do good works out of our love for God!

Sixth, we have been given heavenly citizenship (see vv. 11-12). Before Christ, no one could call heaven their true home. We were all separated from God. It is only Jesus who can carry us across the divide, only Jesus who can bring us back to the Father. Seventh, God has given us a new identity (see v. 13). Our identity is now found in Christ, not in our sins, our mistakes, our regrets. We have the righteousness of God, so now we can freely enter the presence of the Almighty.

Our eighth benefit: We now have the peace of Christ (see v. 14). If we take hold of the peace He offers, it will extend to all our relationships. Ninth, we have a new family (see vv. 18-19). The cross tore down the hostility between every background and race. In Christ, all believers are brothers and sisters.

Finally, we have been given a new home, and Christ is its foundation (see vv. 20-22). It is a home where the Truth of the Word of God reigns supreme, a home that will never crumble.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the many blessings You have given me as Your child. May the reality of these blessings fuel me for the work You’ve given me to do as a delight. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, . . .” (Ephesians 2:6).

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