Day 107: What is Our Hope and Christ’s Inheritance?
Ephesians 1:17
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him, 1:18 –since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened–so that you may know what is the Hope of His calling and His glorious inheritance in the Saints…
Today we begin looking to the three foundational truths that we should know and remember. For me personally, keeping these three truths on the forefront on my thoughts has transformed the way I think about Father God, myself, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ—all of life. I pray that these truths will be as powerful for you.
We are Called In Hope, To Hope
The first thing that the Holy Spirit is teaching us to know is that we have been called to HOPE. If you think back to our study Discovering the Way we emphasized the reality that the Gospel of Jesus gives us hope. We can look to the future with anticipation and excitement because we are fully convinced that in the End all things will be brought to their conclusion gloriously, beautifully because of the goodness of the One True God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to hope as people of hope. There are many passages that talk about things that we are “called” to in the New Testament. Consider a few of them:
1 Corinthians 1:2
…to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
2 Timothy 1:9-10
He (God) is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!
Romans 1:6
You also are among them, called to belong to Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:1-2
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, 2 who is faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moses was also in God’s house.
We are called to be saints—those who are “set apart” as unique for the service and pleasure of God. We are called with a holy calling, by the Only Holy God. We are called to belong to Christ Jesus. We are called to complete salvation through the Gospel. We are partners in a heavenly calling. Can you see why we are called to hope? Basically all of these “callings” explain and fill out our primary calling: we have been called by Father God to be His beloved children, part of His eternal, forever-family. Because of this we can hope.
We Are Christ’s Glorious Inheritance!
Ephesians 1:18:
…what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
Not only are we called to be part of God’s family, we are also the glorious inheritance that the Father is giving to His Son Jesus! To me, this is one of the most overwhelming, glorious truths in all the Scriptures. We want you to understand this to the point that it captivates all your heart and mind.
YOU are part of the eternal inheritance that Father God is giving to His beloved Son Jesus! Notice in this verse it is not talking about “our inheritance in Christ;” it is speaking about “HIS glorious inheritance in us – the saints.” We are so precious and valuable to the Father, He actually gives us to the Son as His eternal inheritance!
In Hebrews 2, the writer presents a picture for us of the day when we will all be gathered together in the presence of Father God along with Jesus our Creator, Savior and King who is also our “older brother” in the faith. Reflect on the following passage:
Hebrews 2:11-13
Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn’t hesitate to treat them as family, 12 saying, “I’ll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know about you [Father God]”; “I’ll join them in worship and praise to you.” 13 Again, he puts himself in the same family circle when he says, Even I live by placing my trust in God.” And yet again, “I’m here with the children God gave me!” (The Message)
Jesus sees us as His brothers and sisters. But even more significantly, He sees us as the children that God has given to Him. Jesus had no physical children, but we are His spiritual children and so He is not ashamed to call us his family!!! What greater comfort and joy could we know. The Creator and King of the whole universe is our older brother and He is pleased to inherit us as His eternal inheritance!!!
We also have an eternal inheritance in Christ, but in Ephesians 1:18 we need to be overwhelmed by the truth that Jesus has an inheritance in us. And notice the way Paul describes it: “…the wealth of His glorious inheritance…” It is if Father God is saying, “The greatest treasure I could give to my One Unique Son is all the people who have been saved and redeemed by His work.” For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call us family, His true brothers and sisters, His true children.
Do you understand what we have discussed today? If not, think back over it and meditate upon it. Say to yourself, “I am Jesus’ eternal treasure and inheritance.”
*You can find a complete list of all the MilktoMeat readings here.
