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?
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