In Him (3)

…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
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…
(Ephesians 1:9-11 ESV)

A two-bagger today, but rather more succinct than usual…

“a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him”

Here Paul shows us a bit of the breath-taking breadth of God’s great canvas. The very purpose of creation was so that Jesus might have the highest place. That is the reason we are here. There is a sense in which this is already happening – the Lord Jesus Christ has already come to bring redemption, and acceptance, relationship, with God the Father (through Himself). Because of His atoning death and resurrection, He has already assumed Headship over the church which is His body, and His rule of the universe in secure. All in God’s plan. I’ve dealt with that before on the blog, here. But a future aspect still dominates this verse – where one day we will see the visible unity of the church, as Christ’s bride, and one day we will see His visible rule over all things. And when He rules on this earth, and eternally, all things will be united in Him.

 

“in Him we have obtained an inheritance”

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
(Romans 8:16-17 ESV)

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
(1 Peter 2:4-9 ESV)

God has great things in store for those that have accepted His offer of salvation – an inheritance that we can’t really get our heads around in this life. Paul says elsewhere in Romans 8 that the suffering we experience here in this time is not worth comparing to the glory that will one day be revealed to us. Joint heirs with the heir of all things! That will be ours to know. But, you know, we have an inheritance now, too, that we can enjoy, before even we get to that great fulfilment of our inheritance in a future day. The life of a disciple is not all just waiting for future fulfilment – not at all! We have an inheritance to enjoy now, if we grasp our place of service for God. It was David’s desire to dwell in the house of the Lord forever – and that is to do with serving God in His house here on earth. Now a spiritual house, Peter makes it clear, made up of believers who are built into it, aligned and obedient to the cornerstone, the Lord Jesus Himself. Part of God’s house, a nation, a united and functioning priesthood to the glory of God. What a wonderful inheritance we have in Him! Grasp it!