The climax of this series on God's blessings is that we are blessed, so that we might be a blessing. God's blessings are multiplied as we become an extension of Go9d's grace to others. You might say that the gifts that Christ gave unto man are gifts that keep on giving. (Ephesians 4:8-13)
When Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, she immediately rose and started ministering to them (Matthew 8:14-15). It's as simple as that! Christs grace is given to us so that we might serve. Christ sacrificed His life that we might also lay down our lives for Him and for the sake of God's elect (II Corinthians 5:14-15;II Timothy 2:8-19; I John 3:16). Through Christ, God reconciles us to Himself and also gives us the ministry of reconciliation / the Word of Reconciliation. We are now ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:17-21). God saves us entirely by His grace through faith. Our works cannot save us, but as a new creation in Christ, we are ordained of God to fulfill good works through His power (Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 2:20).
Let's now consider passages in Ephesians that show us what we are given by grace and how we should be responding.
Blessings that should help us be a blessing
We are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6) and we also should prove [i.e. demonstrate] what is acceptable (Ephesians 5:9-10).
Note: We also should accept others for Christ's sake (Ephesians 6:23-24 cp Romans 15:7).
We are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7) and we also should forgive others (Ephesians 4:30-32).
We are given wisdom (Ephesians 1:17) and we should walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17).
We are enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) and we also should be a light to others (Ephesians 5:8)
We are strengthened spiritually: rooted and grounded in love, being taught by Him [Christ] (Ephesians 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:29-21) and we also should speak the truth in love, helping others to be edified [strengthened] (Ephesians 4:11-16; Ephesians 5:19 cp Colossians 3:16).
We are filled with His fullness (Ephesians 3:19) and we [the church] also should be used by Christ to fill others (Ephesians 1:22-23)
We are sealed with the Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30) and we also should be filled with the Spirit each day that we live (Ephesians 5:18-21 cp Ephesians 5:22-6:9).
Consider the blessings of Christ
Christ loved us and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins (Ephesians 5:2) and we also should walk in love and surrender ourselves to Christ for the sake of serving others (Ephesians 5:2; 3:1-2).
Christ reconciles us to God [i.e. we are now friends] (Ephesians 2:16) and we also should behave as those who are reconciled to God [i.e. friendly / close] (Ephesians 5:1; 5:5-8).
Christ unites all believers together (Ephesians 2:5-6, 13-19) and we also should be uniting ourselves with true believers (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Christ lavishes God's grace upon us (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7) and we also should give grace to men (Ephesians 4:25-29 note: "minister grace" cp. Ephesians 6:23-24).
Christ rose from the dead for us (Ephesians 1:20) and we also should rise from the dead [i.e. the ways of the dead] (Ephesians 5:14).
Christ overcame principalities and powers for us (Ephesians 1:20-21) and we also should overcome the world, Satan, and self (Ephesians 6:10-13, 14-18 cp. II Timothy 2:1-10; John 16:33; I John 5:4-5).
Christ will gather us all together (Ephesians 1:10) and we also should be involved in the work of gathering people to Christ (Ephesians 6:15-20 cp. I Corinthians 3:1-11).
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As the old hymn says, "...count your blessings; name them one by one..." Let us also be accountable to those blessings and fulfill their purpose one by one!
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