“Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-12 NASB)

When you look back at the story of creation in Genesis, one thing becomes clear: humanity was the centerpiece. God spoke the world into existence, but when it came to making man and woman, He crafted them in His own image, the crowning jewel of His new world. Their purpose was to reflect and display His glory. The fall of mankind in the garden was a tragic turn, but it did not cancel this original plan; it only put it on hold.

Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God didn't just reclaim what was lost; He initiated something new. He gave birth to the Church, which Paul reveals is the crowning jewel of redemption itself. In Ephesians, Paul repeatedly circles back to this profound truth: everything God does is ultimately for His praise and glory. The Church is central to that plan.

The Purpose of the Church

Why is the Church so significant in God's plan? Paul explains it this way: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11).

This is a stunning revelation. The community of believers—the Church—is God's chosen instrument to display His incredible wisdom to the entire cosmos. We, as individuals united in Christ, collectively bring glory to God simply by aligning ourselves with His eternal purpose. This begins when we place our hope in Jesus and take our place within His body, "the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:23).

The Double-Sided Inheritance

The passage in Ephesians 1:11 introduces another beautiful truth: "we have obtained an inheritance." This is part of the vast spiritual blessings we receive in Christ. We have a future and a hope secured for us. But there's a deeper layer to this word.

The original language carries a double meaning. While we certainly receive an inheritance from God, the text also implies that we are His inheritance. The Church, the collection of all who follow Christ, has become Jesus’s treasured possession. He sees us as His reward for the incredible work of redemption.

Think about that for a moment. You are not just a recipient of God’s grace; you are seen as valuable, a prize, and the crowning jewel of His redemptive work. This is how much He cherishes you. This incredible reality is why Paul later calls the relationship between Christ and the Church a "profound mystery" (Ephesians 5:32).

The Glorious End Goal

Christ's ultimate purpose has always been clear. He is working to "present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27). He is preparing His bride. One day, He will present this redeemed and perfected Church back to God the Father, a testament to His magnificent accomplishment.

This truth is not just an abstract concept; it should stir our hearts. It gives us a new lens through which to see ourselves and our community of faith. We are part of a divine love story, a glorious plan that culminates in eternal praise.

Understanding the weight of this, my prayer for you echoes the Apostle Paul's own words. I pray that you would be filled with a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know God more deeply.

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be opened and enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19a)

May you grasp the incredible hope you have been called to and see the immeasurable value God places on you as His cherished inheritance.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to you to be Christ’s inheritance?

2. How can you reflect God’s glory this week?

3. How might you help display God’s wisdom in the Church?