“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” (Ephesians 1:11 (ESV)
Recently, my family suffered a loss due to the death of a loved one. The death was not unexpected and the individual in question was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The deceased left an inheritance, which was distributed to various members of the family. This was in accordance with her wishes in her living trust.
An inheritance refers to the assets that an individual bequeaths to their loved ones after they die. An inheritance may contain cash, investments such as stocks or bonds, and other assets such as jewelry, automobiles, art, antiques, and real estate. The amount of inheritance receives, if any, is totally up to the wishes and discretion of the owner of said assets.
Today’s text concerns the believer in Christ and the subject of their inheritance. The word inheritance (κληρόω; kleroo) refers to what the believer has obtained in their salvation because of the sovereign will of God. The believer in Christ is a passive recipient, whereas God is the active benefactor. The believer’s inheritance is not based upon any merit of the individual believer, but solely based on God’s sovereign grace alone, through God given faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. This is true for believing Jews and Gentiles.
The inheritance the believer possesses in Christ is because God the Father predestined them solely according to the sovereign purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:3-5). This is a sweeping statement of truth regarding God’s will and His sovereign power to carry out His purpose and plan of redemption. As Dr. R. C. Sproul says, “Believers have been predestined to receive an inheritance.”
Dr. Charles Hodge writes, “The inheritance of which the apostle speaks is that which believers enjoy. As the Israelites of old obtained an inheritance in the Promised Land, so those in Christ become partakers of that heavenly inheritance which He (Christ) has secured for them.”
The result of this truth is that God is glorified and His purposes are accomplished. Hallelujah!
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 