Here we are with part one! Did you do your homework? If not, that's completely alright, keep reading this anyhow.
I read this chapter over and over a few times finding the different things that God says we are. There were a few more than I thought there were. I mean, yes, God has many things to call us. But in these few verses alone, I was surprised how many I found.
But let's just start with the first one, shall we?
Question: What does it mean to be blessed?
Eph. 1:3 KJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
The first thing I want to know is, what does being 'blessed' mean?
Webster's 1828 Dictionary says:
Blessed: Made happy or prosperous; extolled; pronounced happy. Enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God; enjoying heavenly felicity.
Okay, now if you're anything like me, there are a few more words within that definition I need to look up. If words within a definition pop up that I don't know the meaning of, I look those up as well! You can't get the true meaning of something if you don't fully understand the definition.
What in the world does "extolled" and "felicity" mean?
Extolled: Exalted in commendation; praised; magnified.
Felicity: 1. Happiness, or rather great happiness; blessedness; blissfulness; appropriately the joys of heaven. 2. Prosperity; blessing; enjoyment of good.
Sounding even better as we go!
Answer: Being blessed here, in what I have gotten out of this, means to be truly happy with, and in Christ. Getting to enjoy ALL the joys of of heaven that He pours down upon us every day. Having favor with God. Great happiness! (And that's just summarizing it up for a small paragraph. I could continue...)
I am 100% sure that to be blessed by God in the manner this verse is saying, you must be a saved, born again believer. "blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" I don't believe you cannot be saved and receive spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
Blessed is to be happy, truly, truly happy. If we are saved, we should be the happiest people on the planet. We ought to be showing the world what God can do and show others how blessed (happy) we really are.
What else does the bible say about being blessed?
In Psalm 119:1-2 KJV
1. "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. "
In Psalm 119:12 KJV
"Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes."
In Psalm 1:1 KJV
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
In Psalm 32:1 KJV
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."
In Psalm 34:8 KJV
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."
In Matthew 5:3-11 KJV
"3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."
If we walk the way God wants us to, obeying His word and how He wants us to do things, (not our way) then we will be blessed!
So, part one of 'what God says I am"... Blessed.
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