Ephesians 1 reveals some incredibly significant truths concerning the adoption, inheritance, and receipt of the earnest which is derived from this inheritance that should be carefully studied and understood. In this study it is my desire to present you with several word pictures of these teachings. For further passage study please refer to following:
Ephesians 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
Ephesians 1:11-12 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth
Ephesians 1 teaches that when a person is adopted as a child by God unto Himself, the newly adopted child also obtains an inheritance. The phrase “we have obtained an inheritance” is translated from a single Greek word “kleroo” meaning “property passed on by right of inheritance”. This is often assumed to mean that the person acquires immediate possession, but a person can be the owner of property without the property being in his immediate possession. Today a similar thing occurs when the parent of a child dies leaving their entire estate to the child by legal declaration or will, but because the child has not reached a certain age, he cannot take possession of the estate. In such circumstances where the child is not old enough, an executor is appointed.
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…
Ephesians 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…
In my example above the parent is the testator. Hebrews 9 teaches that Jesus was the testator of this inheritance. Hebrews 9 also teaches that Christ is appointed as the executor, one of the many duties assigned to Him as mediator of the New Testament. An executor is a person who is appointed by a testator to execute the testator’s will. In this case God the Father appointed Christ to execute His will in the distribution of the inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
As executor, Christ distributes the inheritance to believers in the form of the Holy Spirit. Different measures are given based upon the persons faith. Faith is required to take possession of the inheritance. If faith is lost the person is considered to be a backslider. A backslider is one who has tasted of the heavenly gift and has partaken of the Holy Spirit having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. The use of the word “backslider” and “backsliding” is used several times in the old Testament. Hebrews refers to these simply as those who “fall away” and Luke and 2 Peter warn against falling away. We can find an example of what happens when a person falls away in 1 Samuel 16. After King Saul, the anointed of God, had transgressed against God, the Spirit departed from him.
At regeneration, we are adopted as sons and are bequeathed an inheritance that is reserved in heaven for us. This inheritance is rightfully ours in ownership, but we do not have possession of it.
Through works of righteousness, i.e. faith, obedience, love, etc… the regenerate man is rewarded by being granted access to the inheritance that has already been handed down to him. Having already received this inheritance by grace, we are now able to take hold of that which is already rightfully ours. It is particularly important to understand that this is not a salvation of works, because we received ownership of it solely by grace. Our right to possess this inheritance in the present, is conditional regarding our obedience. We as believers in Christ, receive this earnest of the inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, i.e., our death and glorification, at which time we will receive the full inheritance. Keep in mind that this earnest of the inheritance is given in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Adding to the above, compare this to how the child only has access to the estate through an executor. Christ is the mediator of this inheritance and has been given the authority to execute judgment over His people. If they are obedient, they are given life and salvation in this present world through the Holy Spirit to save them from the evils that exists here.
Note: It is from this current possession of eternal life and salvation which one falls, or is removed, when he returns to his own vomit or builds again that which he has destroyed.
I hope this visualization has aided in providing you with the proper understanding of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Fathers Free Grace.
