Favor And Spiritual Blessing
“Grace (favor and spiritual blessing) be to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, 5 [So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning].” 1 Corinthians 1:3-5 Amplified Bible
Paul was speaking to the Corinthians encouraging them to receive the Holy Spirit’s faithful work in their lives, which includes heart peace, and every favor and spiritual blessing which He has already prepared for you in Jesus. This is all established for you and ready to be received through the power of the Holy Spirit so that you might be enriched today in full power and understanding of His kingdom and Word. That is what He has prepared for you today. Are you ready and expecting to receive all of that?
Along with that is peace of the heart. It matters not what may arise on any given day because this is part of that same promise, with the favor and blessing that is because of who you are in Jesus. No matter what you face today you need not give yourself over to anxiety and fear. Part of your spiritual blessing and favor for today is heart peace. Believe that, receive it and experience that today. It is the gift from your Father established through the Son. It is part of your spiritual blessing.
People see “spiritual blessing” and they think that means something that is not for this world or this present reality. They think of it as something that maybe we can somehow enjoy in the next life. Well, it is for this present life. Everything he just listed is set aside for you today if you will believe it and take possession of it. How do we know that Paul was speaking about “spiritual blessings” for this life and not the next as some would suggest? Consider the context in which Paul was speaking. His letter is to the Corinthians who were receiving that letter and its truth in their present physical lives. Why would God say, “This is for you, but you cannot have it now, it is for the next life?
You need His promises, His favor and blessing now in this life, not the next life, and He has provided and established everything you need for this present life. God is speaking to us today about His favor for you today in this life. In every respect, you are enriched, in full power and growing in knowing Him and every promise that has come from Him.
J Todd Hostetler