I trust you had “Happy Thanksgiving” as you spent time with family and friends “counting your blessings.”  As Christians we have an infinite number of things for which to give thanks, both seen and unseen. “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow” (Jas. 1:17).  In addition to the abundant material blessings of God’s provision, we have the innumerable unseen blessings we receive through our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Paul tells us that in Christ we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3).  Quoting from Isa. 64:4, Paul also writes: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God” (I Cor. 2:9,10). 

     As Christians, the indwelling Holy Spirit reveals to us what we have “in Christ.” We have been adopted as full sons into the family of God (Ro. 8:15,16; Gal. 4:5),  becoming “Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Ro. 8:17). By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been “born again to a living hope…to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven” (I Pet. 1:3,4).  Through Jesus’ shed blood, we have been redeemed (bought back) and forgiven (Eph. 1:7,14; Heb. 9:12). We have been justified and declared righteous (Ro. 4:25; 5:1; II Cor. 5:21).  We have been reconciled (brought back into the right relationship with God…Ro. 5:10). We have been sanctified (I Cor. 1:30; II Cor. 6:11; Heb. 10:10) and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13; 4:30) and are thus secure (Jn. 6:37-40; 10:28-30; I Jn. 5:11-15). Not only do we have eternal life, but a new, abundant life available in Christ (Jn. 10:10; Ro. 6:4; II Cor. 5:17).  We have a new Divine nature (II Pet. 1:4) which, when we allow it to be in control, we no longer have to sin and we have manifested in us the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal. 5:22,23). 

     With Christ in us, we have the hope of glory (Col. 1:27) and we have His peace and His joy (Jn. 14:27; 15:11).  We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).  So, let come what may, I have Christ in my heart and “can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). No matter our circumstance or adversity we can say, “For this I have Jesus.”  I am complete in Him (Col. 2:10).  

     I understand now more fully the exhortations of Scripture to “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20); to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4); and “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ” (I Thes. 5:18).  Because of being in Christ, we can even “exult in our tribulations” (Ro. 5:3) and “Consider it all joy when we encounter various trials” (Jas. 1:2), for we know that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Ro. 8:28), and that purpose is to “conform us to the image of Christ” (Ro. 8:29). 

     These “blessings” which I have discussed are only for those who are “in Christ.”   Those who have yet to trust Christ for eternal life don’t understand all these “unseen blessings.”  Those of us who have made that choice have been “blessed by the Best” and we feel sorry for the rest, hoping they too will discover this amazing grace that God extends to all (Tit. 2:11,12).   

     How about you?  Have you been “blessed by the Best”?  You can be.  Acknowledge your sinfulness and the sufficiency of Christ in His death and resurrection to save you and ask Him into your life. He is definitely the “Gift that keeps on giving!”

Forever His,

Pastor Dave