Your True Reputation (In Search Of Truth, Ephesians 1:11-14)

(Ephesians 1:11-14, ESV)
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.


v. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,


In looking at verse 5 earlier we observed that adoption, in the time and culture in which this letter was written, resulted in the adopted child gaining all the rights and status of a biological child. That reality is fleshed out here in verse 11, where Paul makes it clear that we, as children of God, now have an inheritance from God waiting for us.

This was not some "plan B" that God had to resort to because things got out of control. Paul emphasizes that it has always been God's plan to give believers in Christ an inheritance, and to that end that God "works all things according to the counsel of his will".


v.12-14 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.


Why give us an inheritance? Because it brings glory to God. It reveals more of who he is and how wonderful and kind he has been toward us. If sin had never been allowed to enter the equation, we wouldn't have any concept of God's grace and mercy. But now God has revealed his self-sacrificing love and has demonstrated immense, undeserved favor, by rescuing those who rebelled against him and giving them an inheritance beyond what they can imagine.

For this reason, our inheritance will be an eternal monument to God's grace. As we bask in the wonder of what we have it will be a constant reminder of God's undeserved goodness toward us.
In verse 12 Paul makes this inheritance the common ground for all believers. First for the Jews, who had been waiting for their Messiah, and then for the Gentiles (non-Jews), who heard and then believed the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done to rescue us.

The common "seal" of all believers is the Holy Spirit. In the historical and cultural context of this letter, a seal was affixed to authenticate letters, show ownership of goods or designate state office. The moment someone hears and believes in Jesus' rescue plan for them, they are given the Holy Spirit.

In this capacity, Paul says the Spirit is a "guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it". The Greek word for "guarantee" here was used in the world of commerce to refer to a down payment or first installment, to ensure that the rest of the amount was coming. It could also be applied to an engagement ring.

As we see fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - Galatians 5:22-23) or other evidence that he is working in our hearts and speaking directly to us through scripture, we should take note. Maybe even journal or do something else to mark and remember the occasion. Because these are activities of the Spirit that, in addition to their immediate blessing, remind and assure us that our full inheritance is really and truly waiting for us.


SO WHAT'S IN ALL THIS FOR GEEKS?

I've mentioned before that we geeks can be a striving bunch. We strive for a certain reputation, we strive to accomplish things that we think will make us significant. We even strive for those things while doing activities intended to serve God.

As the Christmas season kicks off this can even get amplified for some of us, as we're engaged in more activities or more service. And serving and striving to do good are God honoring pursuits that yield rewards for us. But they don't define us. And as we get together with family we haven't seen in awhile it's worth remembering that their opinions of us and our reputations with others don't define us either.

As Christians, we are giving up on the endless pursuits of defining ourselves and conjuring up our own value. We have said to Jesus, "I need your record of righteousness and worth to be painted over mine." Choosing and believing that just one time changes our eternity. And choosing and believing that again and again is what changes our day to day experience of life.

We will inherit everything that Christ does and have all the rights of sonship that he has. Think for a minute about the significance of Jesus. His significance in history, his significance to all of creation. We have obtained an inheritance that will allow us to share in that significance. Cosmic beings of immeasurable power are on the edge of their seats in fascination as they see what's being done for us. (1 Peter 1:10-13)

So as you enter this season, do good, strive for things that honor God and love others. But know that those things don't increase your already immeasurable worth and eternal significance. And remember as you hear from God through his words in the Bible, as you see the Holy Spirit orchestrating, through you, moments of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control... remember that these indicators of the Holy Spirit are a down payment, just the first taste, of all that God has promised for you.



Resources used to prepare this study include:
"Expositor's Bible Commentary", Frank E. Gaebelein General Editor (Zondervan Publishing House)
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Blueletterbible.org (primarily for search functionality)