“In Him we also were made [God's] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will.” (Ephesians 1:11)
Reading carefully, we see the past tense of the verbs 'obtained' and 'foreordained' indicating God's action took place as we learned in verse 5 before the foundation of the world. It was for His purpose and plan in our lives and in agreement with His own will He planned a future for us. His plan to make us His children was for His own pleasure and is part of our predestination package. Nothing has ever caught God our Father by surprise, neither has he ever had his arm twisted to take action in our lives. He has known us since before we were in our mother's womb. (Psalm 139) The inheritance we have in Christ, cannot be gotten by any efforts of our own. It is based on family ties to Jesus.
“And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him].” (Romans 8:17)
Now, let's go to Hebrews chapter nine to see our connection into the family of God.
“[Christ the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement [testament, covenant] so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance—since a death hath taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement.
For where there is a [last] will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
For a will and testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive. “ (Hebrews 9:15-17)
When Christ died for us, He fulfilled the plan of God as the Originator of the plan to make us His children and ratified the old agreement (Old Covenant) through the shedding of His blood. His last will and testament not only rescues, delivers and redeems us from our transgressions, it provides for our future an eternal home in heaven and everlasting life with the family of God for eternity.
I am reminded of our study of the Old and New Covenants today and encourage you to continue your own personal study of the blessings of the New Covenant in Christ's blood. It is through Christ's blood the old agreement was done away with and the New Covenant was able to take effect in our lives. I leave you with the words we sing at Homecoming each year at my father's church.
“I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God
Washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood,
Joint heirs with Jesus, as we travel this sod,
I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.”
We will continue on Wednesday, September 29 with the concluding verses of chapter 1 of Ephesians as we learn how all of these blessings are sealed by the precious Holy Spirit of promise.
