Since the start of our study in Ephesians Paul has written of the things we have “in Christ.” Because of God’s rebuilding of the relationship with people, a wide set of things come to the Christian. Here is a quick list: blessing, selection, destiny, redemption, forgiveness, and insight. Look at Ephesians 1:3-8 and I think you can pick those out.
The 11th verse adds on to that list:
11 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)
Do you see what Paul adds? In Christ, in him, we have what? An inheritance. I don’t know if your mind satisfyingly says, “Ahhh, an inheritance!” My mind sort of does, but quickly becomes a little confused as it tries to unravel my idea of inheritance into the spiritual, eternal context. See, usually, inheritance is conceived of as wealth or at least stuff obtained when a parent or that “rich uncle” dies. Maybe it is considered a sort of lottery.
Fine, that definition is easy, but who died? Yes, Jesus, that is also easy, but he rose again seeming to complicate our little matter of inheritance. After all, if he came back to life would he not come back to own the things he left behind? These kinds of thoughts feel as if they are missing the point somehow.
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