Accepted: Who We Really Are and What He Has Given UsSýnishorn

Day 3: Ephesians 1:11-23

Don’t we all wish we could receive a massive inheritance from some long lost relative? Out of the blue—wham! We become wealthy overnight. Yet, we often fail to recognize the inheritance we have in Christ, not just in heaven, but here and now (v. 11). All of Ephesians 1 opens our eyes to the lavish gifts our Abba-Father has already given to us.

We find our inheritance in the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit who dwells within each believer. God Himself, the Holy Spirit, is our guarantee (Greek: arrabon) that we belong to Jesus (Rom. 8:9-11). Arrabon is a business term describing earnest money or a deposit paid in advance as a down payment. The Holy Spirit, our guarantee, reveals Christ to us now and gives us a foretaste of eternity to come (John 16:13-15).

When we make room for and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into our quiet times with the Lord, we experience His felt presence and power, a taste of heaven on earth. 

Arrabon is also the word used in Hebrew culture for an engagement ring. Oh, how precious this is in the light of Jesus’ Church being the Bride of Christ! Just as a ring is worn to say, I belong to Someone, the Spirit’s work in our lives declares to everyone, I am His. Consequently, we become vessels who bring Him great glory (v.14).

Paul teaches as he prays for us to recognize all that we have in Christ. God has given us:

• The Spirit of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of the Lord.
• The ability to have our eyes opened to know our life’s calling and the hope that knowledge brings.
• His glorious inheritance is already within us, but we must realize this truth.
• The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is working on our behalf and dwelling in us.
• Jesus, who is seated at God’s right hand in heavenly places, far above any work of the enemy as Head of His church.
• The gift of being His body on earth, filled with the fulness of His life.

We will spend our lifetimes unwrapping these truths of who we are and what Lord Jesus has given us. Let’s begin the unveiling process today.