1190. In Whom We Are Made an Inheritance–The Father's Chief Riches

In Whom We Are Made an Inheritance–The Father's Chief Riches

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" (Eph_1:11).

Observe the riches of the Father's inheritance. The text we are studying reads in the A. V.: "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance."

Let us give you a glimpse of other translations, which are true to the Greek text:

"In Whom also we were made an inheritance" (R. V.).

"In Whom also we were chosen as the inheritance" (1911 Version, marg.).

"In Whom also we were taken by lot" (Newberry).

"In Whom also we were taken as an inheritance" (Rotherham).

"In Christ we became God's own possession" (Wes. & Hort.).

Consider it: We who once were enemies, sinners, ungodly, are children chosen, marked out for sonship, and predestinated to God's inheritance, His own possession.

Marvel of marvels! God has chosen us because we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." Saints are God's "poema," God's masterpiece. Saints are God's inheritance.

Why are saints God's masterpiece, God's inheritance, given all precedence over the heavens, the sun, the moon and the stars, the works of His fingers?

Our only reply is that sons are greater than suns: sons show forth the character of God, suns show forth only His glory and His might. Sons possess the very nature of the Father, suns have no nature at all.

When Christ was among men, He told forth the Father; every act, every word manifested God. To Philip Christ said, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (Joh_14:9).

Saints, born of God, also possess the character of God. They are His generation, that they may show forth the glories of Him Who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.

What then will it be over there, when we have been transfigured, when we are changed, when we are like Him, when we see Him as He is?

We begin now to understand Eph_1:12, which is the sequence of Eph_1:11 : "That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ."

We have yet one further and perhaps greater reason to present in answer to the query: Why hath God chosen us for His inheritance?

Sons are not only of God's own nature, capable of showing forth the glories of His Person; but sons are capable of His fellowship.

Truly "our fellowship is with the Father," and we shall one day be with Him where He is.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR