Salvation makes us children and heirs of God. But Ephesians 1: 11 makes it sound like there is a catch. The first in the Children and Heirs of God series, this daily devotion looks at what it means to be united in Christ and heirs according to His plan.
Nuggets
- Because we are united with Christ, we are instructed to seek God’s Will.
- Our inheritance is our reward for doing God’s Will: The Holy Spirit, eternal life and the kingdom.
- God’s plan for each of our lives is unchanging.
Devotions in the Children and Heirs of God series
Ephesians 1: 11 is such a rich verse that we are not going to be able to cover it all in this devotion. If you have read other devotions I’ve done, you know I usually start at the beginning of the verse and look at all the different points in it in order.
I am not going to do that this time. I am going to look at everything except the predestination aspect in this devotion. That is big enough to stand alone.
Ephesians 1: 11 talks about being children and heirs of God. But the predestination part and the according to His plan part seems to imply that this inheritance isn’t automatic. First, let’s take a look at Ephesus itself to make sure we have things in context.
Let's Put It into Context
Ephesus had a lot of things going for it. It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Its population of roughly 250,000 made it the fourth largest city in that world.
A seaport, the city served as a political, religious, and commercial center in Asia Minor.
It was clearly a pagan city. It was filled with pagan idolatry, sexual immorality, and greed surrounding Temple of Artemis.
Paul traveled to the city several times. He was there on his second missionary journey (Ac. 18:18-21). He spent more than two years there on his third missionary journey (Ac. 19: 24-41).
These Gentile converts would have faced many temptations. Still, Paul called them saints (Eph. 1: 1). Because they are saints/believers, there are several considerations — for them and for us.
United in Christ
"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" (Eph. 1: 11 NLT)
When we admit our sins, believe in Jesus as Redeemer, and confess God as Sovereign Lord, each of us are united with Christ and, in turn, with each other. He is the One Who was the sacrifice so that our relationship with God could be restored.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Paul put it this way:
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom. 6: 3-6 ESV).
God wants everyone to be saved (I Tim. 2: 4). That is why Jesus came to live, die, and rise again. By faith, we believe that. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Rom. 5: 1 NLT).
Because we are united with Christ, we are instructed to seek God’s Will. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3: 1 ESV). Our lifestyle changes.
Inheritance from God
An inheritance is something you obtain from someone. We mainly think of parents leaving an inheritance to their children.
When we ask Jesus to become our Lord and Savior, we become children of God. John 1: 12 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (ESV). Our faith makes us heirs of God (Gal. 3: 26).
Glossary
If we endure the trials and sufferings given to us and grow closer to God, we will be rewarded with an inheritance: “… if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Rom. 8: 17 ESV). We must truly give our lives to Him and persevere in the trials we face, not losing faith in Him.
Our inheritance is our reward for doing God’s Will. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24 ESV). We need to seek Him, obey Him, and live for Him to receive our reward.
What are our rewards/inheritance? Three specific rewards that are mentioned are the Holy Spirit, eternal life, and the kingdom.
“Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit’ (Jn. 3: 5-6 CSB).
“so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life” (Ti. 3: 7 CSB).
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” (Jas. 2: 5 CSB).
God Has Plans for Us
God does have a plan for each of our lives. Jeremiah 29: 11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV). Esther 4: 14 says, “… Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (CSB). Each of us has a purpose to fulfill in His kingdom.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
God’s plans are unchanging. “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken” (Ps. 33: 11 NLT). He Who is all-knowing and all-seeing — Who knows the past, present, and future — has developed our plans accordingly.
Our plans were developed before we were born. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1: 5 ESV).
Why would God save us? “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Ti. 3: 5 KJV).
God’s plan for what we would accomplish for Him was developed long ago. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 2: 10 NLT).
Making the Connections
When we think of saints, we usually think of people who are perfect and dedicated to God. But notice Paul addressed this letter “… To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 1: 1 ESV). It is hard for us to see that.
It is especially hard when we factor Revelation 2 into the mix. Ephesus was the first church that Jesus talked about of the seven churches He addressed. He said He had a bone to pick with them: they had “… abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2: 4 CSB).
Really, the saints are those who are set apart. All believers are set apart. We are different from those who hold the worldview.
Glossary
We are different because of Jesus Christ in our hearts and lives. It isn’t because of anything we’ve done or anything we deserve.
It is totally because of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. Faith has made us believers. We are holy because we belong to God.
We are saints, united in Christ. We will receive our inheritance if we follow Him.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
How Do We Apply This?
We need to profess Jesus as our Savior and Lord. This must be a true profession of faith.
To show that it is a true profession, we need to live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him. First Thessalonians 4: 7 says, “God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives” (NLT). We do this by putting our hope and trust in Him and refraining from sinning.
We should keep in constant communication with God. He has called us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5: 17 ESV). We are to keep in an attitude of prayer — seeking His Will and thanking Him in whatever situation in which we find ourselves.
Father God. We are humbled that, before You even created the universe, You knew our names and You had a purpose designed for us. This purpose was to praise You and to further Your kingdom. We are to tell others of Your love and Jesus’ sacrifice. It is Your hope — and ours — that others be united with Christ so that they, too, may receive an inheritance. Use us to accomplish Your plans. Amen.
What do you think?
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