We hear about God’s joy, peace and love, but it often feels out of reach. Or, it feels like we’re falling way short of it. How do we get it? 

The answer is kind of funny actually. The answer is that because of the cross, you already have it.

There is no blessing from God that you can get apart from the cross. Ephesians 1:3 says that God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. This directly relates to Jesus’s work on the cross, for it was there that God took away your sin and plunged you into every blessing possible. Romans 6:6 explains that your old man was crucified with Christ. The cross is where everything that ever “got in the way” of your blessings from God was eliminated. Colossians 2:12 adds that you were “buried with Christ.” Every time you doubt the promises of God in your life, remember that every sin and every issue that would somehow “stop” or “undo” the promises of God was buried in the dirt. It’s dead and gone. Completely. 

Roald Dahl’s famous book-turned-movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory provides a wonderful parable of these realities. In the story, an impoverished young boy living far from a life of “blessing” is given the opportunity of a lifetime. He finds a golden ticket that gives him access to a famous Chocolate Factory. At the end of the story, Charlie finds out than this is far more than just a one-time pass to the factory. This ticket actually leads him to being given the entire factory by the owner. He no longer has to fearfully knock on the door to get a taste of the sweet things inside. He no longer has to spend money to buy Willy Wonka’s candy at the local shops. He is the now a co-owner of the entire factory and can go in and out as he pleases!

We often approach the things of heaven with a fearful or slightly hesitant knock. The supernatural blessings of God feel like something we have to attain or earn. (And remember, when we say “blessings,” we’re talking about the whole package of God’s original purposes for our lives – the blessings of deep inward peace, passionate contentment, and outward prosperity and breakthrough in our callings and relationships.) The Scriptures tell us we can now go boldly to the throne! This isn’t about taking occasional tours through heaven’s halls. This is about recognizing our new home and making ourselves very comfortable there. it’s about recognizing Jesus’s words to His disciples in Luke 12, when he said that it is the Father’s pleasure to give us the Kingdom.

We are no longer visitors! We own the factory! And if that doesn’t sound biblical, you need to go back to that Ephesians verse about “every spiritual blessing” being given to us. OR, check out the eighth chapter of Romans where it says there that we are now joint-heirs with Christ!

Joint-heirs!

Jesus inherited the Kingdom. And we have inherited it as well, for we are one with Christ. Everything that is His is now ours.

“Fear not, little flock, for it your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Chocolate Factory” (Luke 12:32…paraphrased).

All the blessings of God are already ours. We are not trying to attain them or strive for them. So we must always remember this foundation: The cross is our golden ticket into all the blessings of God. The cross is what you got us into this sweet Kingdom. Jesus purchased the ticket for us. He is the true Charlie who gives his impoverished family (you and me) free access into what He has already secured.

If you try to seek the blessings of God based on your own mental or emotional performance, you will undoubtedly feel like you are falling short of God’s blessings. But that’s not how the kingdom works. It’s all about the cross. It’s all about what He already purchased… Never forget it.