Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Ephesians 1:11


Copyright Ó 2011 J. Neely
Ephesians 1:11

11 In [en] whom [hos] also [kai] we have obtained an inheritance, [kleroo] being predestinated [proorizo] according to [kata] the purpose [prothesis] of him who worketh [energeo] all things [pas] after [kata] the counsel [boule] of his own [autos] will: [thelema] KJV-Interlinear

11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,  NASB

Inheritance, ‘kleroo,’ means to obtain by lot.

As we have already studied, all believers have an inheritance predetermined for each one.  God, in eternity past, set forth a plan which includes an inheritance for every believer.  The exact details of that inheritance are established and known by God.  That is a part of our predestination.

The inheritance however, depends on obedience to Gods plan, and not just in salvation, but in the production of the believer’s daily spiritual life.

For those who advance to spiritual maturity, and therefore are productive in their spiritual life, there is an inheritance predetermined and certain.  However, there will be believers who will not conform to Gods plan, but will instead try to define their own spiritual life, or will simply ignore their spiritual life, and thus will not be productive.

To the believer who produces, there is a phenomenal reward.  To the believer, who is not productive, there is the loss of reward.  Spiritual production matches reward.  Good production yields good reward.  Bad or no production yields no reward.

What then becomes of the lost inheritance that would have gone to believers, but was withheld due to their non-compliance with Gods plan?  And here is yet another verse that refers to a, ‘lot’ or the casting of lots.  Today we would call it the roll of the dice.

Those lost inheritances, will be re-distributed to mature believers as all non-productive believers will forfeit their reward share for all of eternity.

And while God knows exactly who will receive what, neither you nor I know the exact outcome of those unclaimed inheritances.  That is left up to our individual spiritual productive lives.  Thus the casting of lots or the uncertainty during history of exactly who and what the outcome will be, from our perspective.

In accordance with Gods own purpose.  God in eternity past set out a plan.  That plan has an objective.  That objective is to complete all of history and then upon that completion which likewise sorts out all who will inherit, then to make those inheritances to mature believers, for the rest of eternity.

Jesus Christ controls history.  No one else does.  Not Satan, not politicians, not humanity, not you, no one.  Despite all that man sets his mind to do, nothing in mans plans will ever be accomplished.  Humanity has many plans, but none of them will ever be obtained.

God works all things in accordance with His own counsel.  God invented history.  God invented humanity.  God invented all of creation. And God maintains all that is required in order for His plan to be achieved.

God did not consult anyone.  God did not make plans with adjustments along the way.  Gods plan came from Himself and from no other source.  Gods plan was established in eternity past and has never changed.

Consider your life and your plans. What is it that you are not happy with?  Why?

Perhaps your focus in not on the next life and your preparation for that eternal life.  Perhaps your focus in on your day to day circumstances and those are more important to you than your eternity.  Again, why?

Your future, the future that God has ordained for you, is beyond your imagination, and it is certain.  Is it prudent for you to ignore that gift? 

What value are all of your earthly plans?  What value is Gods plan?  Which is greater?  Which is more important?

E-Books, E-Book Reader
Your Comments
Daily Bible Study Quick Links
Subscription Options