Everett Henes: Heirs of grace

One of the most interesting words used in the Bible to describe eternal salvation is inheritance. In Ephesians 1:11-12, we read, “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.” When we receive an inheritance, it is not based on what we have done, but to whom we are related.

The verb translated “obtained an inheritance” is used only here in the New Testament; it is formed from the noun meaning “lot” and so means “to choose by lot.” The idea derives from the Old Testament where the people of Israel were chosen by the Lord to be his people. Our redemption is not in any way based upon ourselves, being grounded in God’s election and Christ’s redemption. All that we have in spiritual blessings and all that we look forward to are "in Christ." No part of the Christian faith, past, present, or future can be separated from Christ.

It isn’t just in Ephesians that Paul talks of Christians being those who inherit something from God. In Acts 20:32 he speaks of the “inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” In Romans 8:17 he writes about how we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. This doesn’t mean that we inherit exactly what he inherits but that our inheritance is grounded in his inheritance. In Titus 3:7 he refers to this inheritance as "eternal life." This is why, for Paul, the resurrection is so important. We know that we will be resurrected because Christ has been resurrected.

Paul says that it is the working together of all things according to the counsel of God’s own will. This is a deep theological truth that has very practical import for our lives. Paul wants us to know that everything happening in our lives is meant to lead somewhere. No part of our lives, no matter how big of a blessing or how great of a suffering, is something that just happened. The New Testament sees all things as being part of God’s plan: he works all things together, even our sufferings, to our good and to his glory.

This is a truth that we must embrace because it is not one that we will ever fully understand this side of eternity. Understanding God’s sovereignty, holiness, and goodness is the basis of Christian comfort in this life. It is like being a child, in some ways, where you cannot see why your parents might be doing what they are doing, but you trust they are doing it for your good.

All of it, Paul says, is to the praise of God’s glory. This is how he ended the verses that spoke of the Father’s role in salvation and here he uses the same words to when speaking of the redemption we have in Christ. This is not a throwaway line, but one that is meant to remind us of an important truth. Salvation is ours, in Christ, but it is not about us. This is perhaps one of the most offensive truths in a day that values individual identity over anything else.

It’s a bit like when two people get married. The couple is in love, they believe. And I have no reason to doubt their love. But I also know that their love is far more focused on themselves than it is on the other. This is why marriage can be challenging. It exposes our selfishness, a selfishness that was already there when you said “I do!” Part of growing, in marriage, is learning to put another person before yourself. It’s not without reason that Paul will go on to compare the relationship between Christ and the church to that of husband and wife (Ephesians 5:22-33).

The Apostle Paul uses grand words to describe the position of believers in Christ. We have obtained an inheritance. It does not mean that we have full possession of the inheritance, but it is fully ours and simply waiting until we are able to inherit it. We have all things in Christ and, most importantly, we are recipients of his rich grace which he has lavished upon us. When we pause to consider what it is that we have received it can bring us to nothing more than praise for God’s goodness. This is amazing grace!

— Pastor Everett Henes, the pastor of the Hillsdale Orthodox Presbyterian Church, can be reached at pastorhenes@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Everett Henes: Heirs of grace