#DailyDevotion “In” Is An Important Word In The Bible
Eph. 1:11 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
“In” is such an important word in this letter from Paul, but it is also important in other letters. Everything is happening ‘in’ Christ Jesus. We were chosen ‘in love’. ‘In love’ we were predestined. ‘In him’ we have redemption through his blood. Now ‘in him’ we have obtained an inheritance. What is this inheritance we have inherited? In Christ we have inherited the kingdom of God. Of course to inherit something someone has to die. Who died? Jesus, the Son of God died, therefore God died or as Peter and Paul say, the Lord of Glory, the Author of Life. Sure Jesus rose from the dead. But when he was killed upon the cross he made us heirs. What belongs to Jesus? Everything. But first let’s be a little more concrete. You have inherited the kingdom of God. You have inherited eternal life. You have inherited the unspeakable riches of heaven. You have inherited God’s own glory, righteousness and holiness.
In Jesus you have been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the council of his will. In Romans Paul says, “God works all things for good for those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.” There was nothing willy nilly in God having chosen you. We have no idea what the council of his will was that made God say, “This one, I choose this one.” We do know it was out of love and so that his mercy may be glorified.
‘In him’ when you heard the word of truth believed in Jesus and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Now the Holy Spirit is God. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit when in Jesus we hear the Gospel, the good news of the free gift of salvation on account of Christ. We seal jars, letters, bank vaults. We seal things that are important that we want to keep safe. God seals us with the Holy Spirit because we are important to him. He gives us the Holy Spirit so we may believe in Christ, continue to listen and understand his word, be changed in heart, mind and soul towards the will of God, and be preserved in the faith unto life everlasting.
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until the return of Christ when we will receive the fullness of the inheritance he has prepared for us. Now we possess eternal life. Then we will fully possess the kingdom of God, new immortal bodies and God himself. This will be to praise of God’s glory. All things are to the praise of the glory of God and in particular your salvation. All this the Father has done ‘in’ Jesus Christ of Nazareth our Lord and Savior and has done it for you.
Heavenly Father, grant us always your Holy Spirit that in Christ we may have faith in him and live to the praise and glory of your holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.