“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
—Ephesians 1:11-12
OUR TEXT says, “In Him (in Christ) we have obtained an inheritance.” As believers, not only have we been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (vs. 3); not only have we been loved by God from eternity and chosen unto salvation from before the foundation of the world in Christ that we should be holy and blameless before God (vs. 4); not only have we been adopted into God’s family (vs. 5) and redeemed from all our sins through Christ’s blood and thereby receive forgiveness (vs. 7). The Apostle Paul adds to this wonderful list of blessings by saying, “we have obtained an inheritance.” The inheritance is our position in Christ. The phrase, “We have obtained an inheritance”, is a single word in the Greek text, which means this is something in the future, but it is also something God did. Colossians 1:12, “Giving thanks unto the Father, who has made us partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”
AND SO, when you’re truly in Christ, Christ’s riches are your riches, His righteousness is your righteousness, His position is your position, His status is your status, His privilege is your privilege, His possession is your possession. This is the inheritance we have received in Christ. Paul even wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:21-22, “Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours.” And when we understand this, we can’t help but delight in God’s blessings and respond with thankful and joyful obedience.
BUT THE question is, how did sinners, such as you and I, who are no better than any other sinner in this world, receive this inheritance from God? Vs. 11: “being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” You see what Scripture is saying? How did you and I receive this inheritance from God? By God’s will!! God chose us in Christ! We didn’t receive the inheritance of God by chance, or by your own choice, but we received the inheritance of God by His will alone! “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” (Psalm 40:16).
Tuesday Encouragement: April 9, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry