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The promised hope of the glory of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:18)
Ephesians 1:18
1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:18)
Faith in the Triune God is important and indispensable. Love is irreplaceable as the substance of eternal life. Hope, however, is the goal of our redemption and the fruit of salvation. Whoever recognizes God, the glorious Father or the “Father of glory” must, with a certain foreboding, also recognize that we, as “saints in Christ”, must be changed. For that we need to have open eyes of the heart, so that we will recognize our Father in heaven as the goal and the measure of our lives, and not become satisfied with ourselves. Jesus said openly: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Everything else is insufficient for our spiritual life. Christians have the privilege of living in continual repentance because they are appointed to a hope that transcends our earthly thinking.
The gift of the Holy Spirit represents the down-payment on our future hope. Therein the fruits of the Spirit are the driving forces that choose to lead us to the actual goal. They show us how God feels and what He expects of us.
The “love of God” has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Rom. 5:5b).
The “peace of God”, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
Jesus spoke with His Father in His high-priestly prayer: “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13).
The person who considers these attributes of God, His power and His own emotions, will find allusions to the spiritual inheritance in heaven that is awaiting us. From our hearts we are thankful for the down-payment of the Holy Spirit, whom we have received. Nevertheless, He will not only school and test us in our earthly love, but, at the same time, also prepare us for our heavenly inheritance. This inheritance, however, is many times greater, richer and more beautiful than we can ever think, for God Himself is more glorious, merciful and holy than we will ever imagine.
In the vicinity of Damascus, Paul saw Jesus in His marvellous light. From that time on he possessed a new measure for all values, imaginations and hopes. His desire was to convey and share these with the church. For that reason we should not only, at the burial of a “believer in Christ”, sing earnest hymns, but also strike up songs of joy. Our attire should be festive, for the one who was called home has entered, with his death, the gate to the eternal glory of our Father and the splendour of the Lord Jesus. He is experiencing eternal joy - the fulfilment of his redemption!
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we worship You, for You have prepared an inheritance for us that greatly transcends our understanding – it is Your love, Your peace, Your pleasure and Your Spirit! Who are we that You should shape and renew us as Your children?! Help us and many who are dead in sin to be revived, that we might recognize and accept Your glory in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Questions:
- What constitutes the saint´s inheritance in Christ?
- Why is our hope glorious?