Ephesians 1:11-12

An inheritance is something that comes into one’s own possession that once belonged to a predecessor. All believers in Christ have obtained an infinitely-valuable inheritance that was obtained solely by the death of Christ on the cross. The riches of the glory of this inheritance has been passed on to us, even though we were once dead in our sins and deserved only His wrath.

Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, the penalty for our many sins was paid, and through faith in Him, we have obtained the priceless inheritance of eternal life in His glorious presence. Verse 11 then states the mysterious truth about “being predestined…”

Before time began, God made a plan in which the hopeless debt for my sin would be paid. Furthermore, He amazingly predestined me according to His own purposes and the counsel of His will to live forever in His presence to the praise of His glory. It was the Father’s own good pleasure to make a way of salvation for you and me. Though we were undeserving sinners, Christ died for us and paid our debt, and as a result, we are the eternal beneficiaries of His kindness and love.

The only appropriate response for this over-the-top, absolutely undeserved kindness of God is bow before Him in amazed thankfulness. Then we should rise together in resounding praise to His glorious name with all our hearts.

Tom Day