“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.” – Ephesians 1:11–12 (ESV)
🏛️ In Him, We Have an Inheritance
Paul continues his glorious description of all that believers receive “in Christ,” now focusing on the inheritance that is ours through God’s predetermined plan. This is not an earthly inheritance—it’s eternal, spiritual, and secure.
The phrase “in him” appears again, anchoring everything in our union with Christ. Everything God gives us—our salvation, our identity, our destiny—is found in relationship with Jesus. Apart from Him, we have nothing. In Him, we have everything.
📜 Word Study: Inheritance (κληρόω, *klēroō*)
The Greek verb “klēroō” can mean “to assign by lot” or “to receive a portion.” In the Old Testament, Israel’s inheritance was the Promised Land. For the believer, the inheritance is even greater—Christ Himself and all the blessings He secured.
It can be translated two ways:
- We have obtained an inheritance – we are the recipients of God’s promises.
- We have been made an inheritance – we belong to God as His treasured possession.
Both are true! We have an inheritance in Christ, and we are God’s inheritance—His joy, His delight, His people.
🔒 Predestined According to His Purpose
Once again, Paul reminds us that our salvation is no accident. We were “predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”
This is a breathtaking view of God’s sovereignty. Nothing in your life is random. God is at work in every detail. He doesn’t just react to history—He writes it. He orchestrates all things, not out of whim, but out of wisdom. His purpose is eternal. His counsel is perfect. His will is unshakable.
🎯 To the Praise of His Glory
God’s plan has a goal: His glory. Paul says, “we who were the first to hope in Christ” were saved not merely for our benefit, but “to the praise of His glory.”
In context, “we who were the first to hope” likely refers to Jewish believers—those who first received the promises of God and believed in the Messiah. But as we’ll see in the next verses, Gentile believers are equally included in this inheritance. Paul is building toward the unity of all believers under one Savior and one purpose.
🏆 What Is This Inheritance?
Scripture reveals that our inheritance in Christ includes:
- 🔑 Eternal life (John 3:16)
- 👑 The kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34)
- 💎 Spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
- 🏠 A home with Christ forever (John 14:2–3)
- ⚖️ Glorified bodies and eternal justice (Romans 8:17–23)
But more than anything, the inheritance is Christ Himself. We get God. We are brought into eternal fellowship with the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. This is the highest joy and greatest treasure imaginable.
📣 What This Means for Us Today
1. Your Future Is Secure
No matter how uncertain life feels now, your eternal inheritance is guaranteed. It cannot be stolen, corrupted, or lost. The One who promised it is the One who ordained it.
2. You Were Chosen for His Purpose
You are not a cosmic accident. You are predestined with a purpose—to live for the praise of God’s glory. Your salvation is not only about where you’re going, but how you’re living. Are you reflecting His glory now?
3. You Belong to Something Bigger
Paul is pointing us to the grand story of redemption. You are part of it. Your life has meaning because it fits into God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ and display His glory to the world.
📣 Reflection and Application
- 💭 Do I see my life as part of God’s eternal purpose—or just a collection of disconnected moments?
- 🔐 Am I living with the confidence of someone who has an inheritance secured by God’s will?
- 🎶 What can I do this week “to the praise of His glory”?
🛐 Prayer
Father, thank You for the inheritance I have in Christ. Thank You that my life is not random, but part of Your eternal plan. Help me live each day for the praise of Your glory. Let my hope be rooted in what You’ve promised, and let my life reflect the One who secured it all. In Jesus’ name, amen.
📌 Coming Up Next
Ephesians 1:13–14 — What Does It Mean to Be Sealed with the Holy Spirit?
In our next post, we’ll discover the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation—the seal, the guarantee, and the down payment of our eternal inheritance in Christ.