EPH 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.(NIV)

OR

11We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory. 13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.(HCSB)

Our last post was our first discussion on the “mystery”, making us one with each other and with Him — or bringing “all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”  Then comes verses 11 through 14.  What I want to do is connect these verses to what came before them.

If you noticed the versions above start out different.  One uses the word “chosen”, while the other uses “inheritance”.  The more accurate word is “inheritance”, which connects it to the word that comes next, “predestined”.  Remember “predestined” had to do with adoption in our earlier content and one who is adopted does receive an inheritance. The latter part of these verses also speaks of inheritance, but we will get to that in a minute.

That inheritance they were predestined for as adopted sons was according to the plan and purpose (or decision) of His will.  It was going in a direction of working out everything to that end, the plan an purpose of His will.  So that those who already believed in Christ, in the Messiah(Jews) might be to the praise of His glory.  But Paul does not stop there, he goes on to say that the believers in Ephesus (Gentiles) were also included in Christ, in that inheritance, when they heard the word of truth and believed.  Paul says they too received or were marked in Christ with a seal, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment of “our” inheritance.  Notice the word “our”.  Paul is not speaking in terms of “we” and “you” or Jew and Gentile any more, but bringing the two groups together by the seal of the Holy Spirit, the promised Holy Spirit.  Together, as God’s possession, they will all be redeemed, to the PRAISE OF GOD’S GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What an awesome direction we are moving in.  Don’t you think?

Praise be to God our Father and Jesus our Messiah!

Vicky