Ephesians 1 -- Our Vision

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. What I want to focus on is this term “blessed”, what exactly is the blessing? We are entering the biggest trial of the age, how can we find the narrow way that leads to life? In that context we should also consider the second reference to being blessed in the book of James: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. If you love the Lord you will do what He says. Obeying His word is the evidence that you love Him. This word is spoken to us, every word. Many people expound away words in the Bible, “that applies to someone else”. They are like someone looking in the mirror and don’t even recognize their own face. We need to remember what we look like, realize this word is spoken to us, don’t forget it, but do it. That is the big picture, but let’s get into the nitty gritty. The book of Ephesians examines what this promised blessing is: