Guaranteed Inheritance - Examining Ephesians – September 3 Readings: Ephesians 1:11-14

Ephesians: A Worthy Walk 

Background: For the next month, we will be studying the Book of Ephesians, a letter Paul wrote while he was in jail in Rome, awaiting his first trial. Ephesus was one of his best churches, and he spent a lot of time there on his missionary journeys. The church likely planted the other churches of Asia Minor that Jesus referenced in Revelation 2-3. 

Ephesians is easily outlined. Chapters 1-3 speak of the great salvation we have in Christ, which comes by grace through faith alone. Then, 4:1 is the turning point, where Paul admonishes them to "walk worthy of the calling you have received." We cannot be worthy of Christ's salvation - it is a gift of grace. But having received it, we can then, by the Spirit's power, WALK worthy. Chapters 4-6 describe the worthy walk. This is a favorite template for Paul. He develops a doctrine then applies it practically. 

As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage. 

Today's Reading:  Ephesians 1-6    Focus Passage - Ephesians 1:11-14    

11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. 13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah 17-18, 1 Corinthians 7:1–16, Psalm104:9–15, Proverbs 22:1–2 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  Guaranteed Inheritance

I am an heir, one who will inherit the greatest estate any man or woman has ever inherited. The value of that estate cannot be measured in dollars, in property, or in anything else of earthly value. It is a heavenly treasure that is mine, purchased by Jesus Christ and given to me because I have been adopted into the heavenly family. I am a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and the riches of heaven are mine.

Ephesians 1:3-14 speaks of the blessings we have in Christ, those things that come to us because of Jesus Christ's work in us. Verses 11-14 give us the last few of these blessings, centered around the fact that we inherited God's riches in Christ. 

The word predestined, which is the subject of so much controversy, means to mark out in advance. God has given us a glorious destiny. Sinners though we are, our lives will result in the "praise of his glory." God has designed it and empowered it through Christ so that our lives will end in glory and serve to praise him.

Our heavenly inheritance is not in doubt. It is guaranteed. The Holy Spirit, given to every believer at the moment of salvation, is God's guarantee that he will deliver the inheritance in full. He is God's down payment, a portion of God who comes to dwell within us as a guarantee that one day, the fullness of God will be displayed in us in heavenly glory.

I have signed up for the Publishers' Clearinghouse Sweepstakes and I keep putting my name in for those HGTV Dream Homes every year, but the chances I will ever win any of those is slim. However, I did win big when God called me to himself and I was born again in Christ. The Spirit within me is God's promise that all the riches of heaven will be mine.

It will be glory.

Thank you, Father, for the Holy Spirit, your down payment guaranteeing my inheritance in glory. 

Think and Pray:

Take time today to thank God for the inheritance you have in Christ, guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.