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God gives many physical blessings to people on this earth (i.e. food, clothing, family, health, etc.). These are all things that relate only to your physical life and wellbeing. However, the Bible identifies that God blesses some people in a spiritual way. While many people understand physical blessings when they see them, they may completely miss out on the spiritual blessings God has provided because they cannot see them. So, we need to learn about spiritual blessings.
1) Dependent on a right relationship with God. God blesses every person on this earth with physical things (Matthew 5:45). He does so regardless of whether they choose to believe in and obey Him or not. However, this is not the case with spiritual blessings. They can only be experienced by certain people. That is, only those who have come to God through Jesus Christ by faith and obedience to His commandments have the spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3)! All others are spiritually dead and missing out on these blessings.
2) Connected with your spiritual wellbeing and eternal things. Although physical blessings relate to a person’s wellbeing and life on this earth, such things are only temporary. Many of them ruin over time. And, they all end at death. However, spiritual blessings are related to an entirely different aspect of your existence. They focus on your spiritual wellbeing so as to help you live faithfully for God and overcome the trials of life. And, they are rooted in things that are eternal rather than things that are temporary. For example, the peace, joy, and hope we experience through Jesus are all spiritually-focused and attached to God’s promise of eternal salvation (Romans 5:1-2)!
3) Cannot be taken from you. Physical blessings are fleeting. So, although it is good to enjoy them in ways that please God (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25), seeking true purpose, joy, and fulfillment through them is something you will never achieve and is like trying to catch the wind (Ecclesiastes 1-2)! However, this is not the case with spiritual blessings. Jesus summarized the difference well in Matthew 6:19-21. Nothing and no one can take away your spiritual blessings (Romans 8:31-39). The only way you can lose them is if you turn away from God and go back into sin (Galatians 5:4)!
4) Examples. What are the spiritual blessings God has made available to those who are in Christ? Peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Joy that is not dependent on your earthly circumstances (Philippians 4:4). Hope of eternal salvation in Heaven that serves as an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19). Adoption as children of God (Ephesians 1:5-6). A spiritual family that supports and helps us on our way to Heaven (Matthew 19:29). The powerful avenue of prayer to come before the throne of God and have assurance that God hears our prayers (1 Peter 3:12). Forgiveness of all the sins that have been committed against God so that He no longer remembers them against us (Ephesians 1:7).
Spiritual blessings are far greater than physical blessings! In this way, even those who may not have many physical blessings are truly rich if they are in Jesus Christ. And, those who may have many physical blessings are truly poor if they are without Jesus Christ. Therefore, rather than gauging success in your life by physical blessings, gauge it by your spiritual blessings!
