(Eph 1:11) “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (12) “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”  Brother, sister in Christ, when other brethren see us in the eternal presence of God, all will give glory to He Who chose to save us though we did not merit it! Forever we will stand as memorials of the cross and resurrection of Christ!

(Eph 1:11) “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,….”   In this old world inheritances are things which will someday perish. In the next life, there awaits those born into God’s family an inheritance (1Pe 1:4) “…..incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” Did you know that inheritance actually belonged exclusively to the Lord Jesus, Who is risen from the dead to share it with us? Heb 9:15  And for this cause He (Jesus)  is the mediator of the new testament (a will, as in last will and testament), that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament (the old will), they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (16) For where a testament (will)  is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator (the will maker). (17) For a testament (will)  is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator (will-maker) liveth.” Praise God for our risen Lord Jesus!

(Eph 1:10) “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”  A dispensation is an ordering of a certain period of time for different ways of fulfilling God’s plan. For example, your Bible is divided into Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament believer are saved by faith in blood, the blood of an animal sufficing the judgment of God towards man until Jesus, the true sacrifice, came – thus the New Testament. There’s a dispensation when this world will end to the creation of a new world. We will then all (Old and New Testament saints) will gathered unto God!

(Eph 1:9) “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”   He purposed in Himself. It was the will, desire, and determination of the Godhead alone that brought about this plan of saving you and me! He deserves all the glory for what He has done! Never give man the glory that belongs to God alone!

(Eph 1:8) “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will”  What is the mystery of His will? It is revealed to us in the New Testament. It is that all can come and be saved through the blood of God’s Son Who died for our sins on Calvary’s cross! Have you come? Come to http://www.thirstingsouls.com for Songs, Teaching and Preaching.

(Eph 1:8) “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;” The thought here is not the giving of wisdom and prudence unto us, but the manifestation of God’s wisdom and prudence, based on His foreknowledge that predestined Christ to carry out what seemed the impossible – the salvation of sinful men and women! Glory to His Name!

(Eph 1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”  There are two ways of looking at this passage – both doctrinally correct.  First, the source of all spiritual blessings are through Jesus Who sits in the heavens at this very moment. The second is that these blessings are all ours now awaiting us, as in the mind of God that we are already there, (Eph 2:6) “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Either way they are ours!

(Eph 1:7) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”  One might overlook the means by which the Lord can bestow grace, unmerited favor, upon an individual. It is because of the merit of another, God’s Son, whose blood paid for our sins. So, that means came at a great cost!

(Eph 1:7) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”  I don’t hear much today about “asking the Lord to forgive us”. If I offend someone, I do not expect them to automatically forgive me. I ask their forgiveness. This is the idea behind repentance. It is a change of attitude toward sin (I don’t wish to do this again) that leads me to ask the Lord’s forgiveness, thus not punishing me for that sin. He can rightly and justly do so because His Son paid for that sin on Calvary’s cross.

(Eph 1:7) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”  Redemption – to be bought back. It is so easy to blame Adam and Eve for our predicament. But the truth is, I sold my soul to Satan through my willful act of sin. The Lord Jesus loves me so much, He was willing to purchase me back by paying the ultimate price – shedding His blood in my place!