Ephesians 1:11-14 (CEB)

11 We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. 12 We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. 13 You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory.


Reflection

Buying a home is a harrowing experience. There’s so much uncertainty. You get involved in haggling over price and the home’s condition. After you finally find one you like, and can afford, you put a down payment on it, and if you’re lucky you go to settlement. Then you put down even more money, and papers are signed, the title is sealed by a notary, and now it’s yours – as long as you make the payments.

Home ownership has been a primary way to transfer wealth to heirs through inheritance. Except inheritance on earth is uncertain and doesn’t last. In God’s kin(g)dom, though, inheritance in Christ is eternal.

Did you realize you have received an inheritance in Christ? From the beginning our Creator planned for us to be God’s own children, co-heirs with Christ. We are redeemed by God’s love for us, through Jesus’ sacrifice, and given an inheritance of eternal life. This is given to all who believe that Jesus died to set us free from sin and death.

We are sealed forever with the promised Holy Spirit. What does this mean? God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit as a down payment, that God will dwell within us and empower us to do the work of ministry. The Holy Spirit is the down payment that you receive here and now. It’s the promise you can count on until you are redeemed as God’s own children in Christ’s eternal Kin(g)-dom. Then you will receive your full inheritance.

And because this inheritance is ours, we don’t need to fear death because it is not the end. We know that we will then live eternally to praise God, because we love God, because God has loved us and redeemed us through Jesus Christ. Then God will be our all in all.

By Jeneene Reduker


For Pondering & Prayer

How does it make you feel knowing that you have received an inheritance in Christ? God loves you enough to send Jesus to die for your sins. You are God’s child, sealed with and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do God’s work to make disciples for the transformation of the world. Take a moment to praise and thank God for what all you have received through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Prayer: Loving God, we love you, we praise you and we thank you for loving us and giving us an inheritance in Jesus. Empower us by your Holy Spirit to do your work for your glory. Amen.