“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” (Ephesians 1:11)
There are a few things here we need to study in this Scripture. First, we have obtained an inheritance. Because we belong to Jesus and because we are children of God, we have become co-inheritors with Jesus. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17) The phrase in Romans which jumps out at us is “…if so be that we suffer with Him…” What that means is if we experience the same kind of suffering Jesus suffered for the Gospel, meaning persecution. As children of God, we are targets of persecution. Our commission to take the Gospel to every corner of the world brings persecution. We can have close friends, but the moment you mention the Name of Jesus, you are reprimanded, accused and alienated. The Name of Jesus brings persecution from the anti-Christ spirit in the unbeliever. And sometimes this can be very hostile, from accusatory that you are judgmental, to outright ridicule. It can also be subtle such as an alienation. Soon you find yourself on the outs with your friends, no invites. The level of persecution depends on how vocal you are about your faith and Jesus and how intrenched your friends are in their sin. If we suffer persecution because of Jesus, we will be glorified with Him. I imagine that when Jesus reveals Himself to the unbelieving world, we will also be revealed as belonging to Him.
Another interesting point that we need to study is this inheritance. Both Ephesians 1:11 and Romans 8:17 mention an inheritance. And Romans 8:17 mentions that we will inherit with Jesus. What is it that we inherit? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1Peter 1:3-4) Peter gives us a clue. This inheritance is not earthly because everything on earth is flawed and imperfect. There is nothing on earth that will last forever. But, our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled and perpetual meaning everlasting and eternal. So, it’s divine and heavenly. Peter tells us that it’s reserved for us in heaven. Scripture refers to it, but there’s not a verse in the Bible that spells it out. And we know that one day we will take possession of it. It’s our portion and inheritance.
We have also received a divine inheritance here on earth. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3) Already, even though and while we are living here on earth, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heaven. How does that help us here on earth? All blessings originate in heaven and come from the Father. It has to be true in heaven and manifest here on earth. We can avail ourselves of these spiritual blessings through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) As man living on earth, we limit ourselves and limit God’s infinite majesty and generosity with our doubt and unbelief.
Another thing to point out and which trips up many people are the words “…being predestined” according to His purpose. Before we go any further, we must understand that God does not pick and choose who will be saved so predestined does not mean that. If that were so, Jesus would not have commissioned us to go out and teach all nations. What Ephesians 1:11 means is that the Father has predestined those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior to be co-inheritors with Jesus. We must be careful not to read into the Scriptures what is not there.
The fact that it’s God’s Purpose and His Will to give us our portion is reason to rejoice not only when all is going well, but also in those times when it seems that nothing is going well. And like Jesus Who looked forward to the joy after the cross, look forward to the joy of victory after the affliction. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
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