Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:11
What would you do if you found out that you were an heir to the throne of a very wise and wealthy king? I’m willing to bet several things about your life would change if you received this news. You probably would not worry or stress about some of the things you currently worry about. You would probably have less concern about your future. And, if you are a kind, generous person, perhaps you are thinking of how you would use this new role as heir to this king to help others. Friends, you and I may not be heirs to an earthly king, but as children of God, we are heirs to the Heavenly King, who is infinitely greater and more powerful than any ruler on this earth.
Ephesians 1 teaches us that the invitation to address God as Father meant an inheritance to look forward to. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to his plan” (verse 11). If we are children of God, we are also heirs and have an inheritance in Heaven. This is the best news.
What is the inheritance Paul was talking about here? The inheritance is eternal life with Christ. Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, those who place their faith in Him will have eternal life spent forever with Christ. It does not matter how bleak our life is on earth. We can be confident that if we have placed our faith in Christ, we can have hope for what is to come. We can look toward our inheritance. Ultimately, we know that our stories end in salvation and redemption. In the end (which is really just the beginning), we get to spend forever with Christ.
Such hope is impossible to keep to ourselves! If we have such hope, we should want to tell as many people as possible so that they, too, can share in the inheritance promised to God’s followers. My friends, this good news is worth sharing!
As we think about our identities in Christ, now is a good time to think about reaching out to the people in our lives who are far from Christ. If you do not already have a list of three people who you can be sharing Christ with right now, take a few minutes to make that list. When you have finished making your list, pray for each person on your list. Pray that God would work in these people's lives and that they would commit their lives to Him.
Ephesians 1:9-23 (NLT)
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
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