I would like to look at the word "inheritance" as Paul uses it in his letter to the believers in Ephesus. This series of articles will be based on a series of sermons that I gave recently. Though the series had an end, it led to other questions which I hope to also turn into article form shortly.
 
        If we understand exactly what is being referred to, or what the desire of the writer is, we will gain a greater understanding of the work that God has accomplished, and is accomplishing, for us. As we will see, there can be differing thoughts on some passages of scripture. At times, it is the best we, as English-speaking people, can hope for. I believe this is o.k.! I also believe that as we are told, God will eventually give us understanding in all things, key word, 'eventually'. Differing thoughts can result in different translations of words and phrases which can help us gain a better understanding of what God is trying to tell us. We should not be afraid of this; we should embrace it. The lay person, like me, has access to an incredible amount of information to be used. This does not make us scholars, experts, or theologians, but it does help us to try and understand and to communicate, with God. What if someone comes up with a different thought than what we believe? Pray about it, search it out, and remain open, and do not rush to judgement. As believers, we have a uniting factor that outweighs everything else, that is the cross of Christ, the great unifier.
 
        Having said all that, I believe it is important to understand inheritance as Paul uses it as it involves thoughts of future or present glory regarding believers in Christ. Paul, as he said in Galatians, is a Hebrew. Paul was an apostle to the nations, but he always was addressing other Hebrews as well, some believers, others not. Often, examples Paul uses were found in the scriptures which were of course, the Old Testament and related to Hebrew folks. So, we will lean on the biblical understanding of inheritance as we progress.
 
        It is important that we ask, “what exactly are we inheriting?”. In Christianity we find many different responses to this question. I wonder if I took a poll, what would the answers be and what would be the diversity of opinions? If we are going to use this word inheritance, and make claims for ourselves, we should know. Are we inheriting crowns, gold, silver, precious stones and streets of gold? Is it a mansion just over the hilltop? Human minds in the physical realm will have predictable answers, seeking something we can touch and hold, things like riches. Will the better Christian inherit more than the one who lives less ‘perfectly’? These are valid responses and questions.
​
        Let us turn to the text in mind from Ephesians.
 
Ephesians 1:11-14 (NRSV)
 
(11)  In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, (12)  so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
            This is from the NRSV. If you have access to multiple translations (which you should!), you will find the most popular English translations agree, in various ways, with the NRSV. But, some do not. So, we must ask the question, why? Why, is important to ask!
 
            Let us start off with the word itself, "inheritance". G2820.
 
From Strong’s:
From G2819; to allot, that is, (figuratively) to assign (a privilege): - obtain an inheritance.
 
From Thayer’s:
1) to cast lots, determine by lot
2) to choose by lot
3) to allot, assign by lot
3a) on to another as a possession
4) in NT: to make a lot, i.e. a heritage, private possession
Part of Speech: verb
 
            Thayer’s refers use to the TDNT. You can find this set for very reasonable prices these days though it used to be awfully expensive. This dictionary set seeks to expose biblical words in the most extreme way by finding as many uses of the word in written history as possible, in addition to the biblical text. So, Aristotle uses it as "to appoint someone by lot". To Philo the word relates to orderly apportionment in the natural and moral world. In the scriptures, in the New Testament, it is only found once, in our text. We can also use the LXX to find related uses in the Old Testament, for a better understanding. The Greek word “inheritance” found in Eph. 1:11 is the only mention found in the New Testament, but it is also found 6 times in the Greek LXX which is extremely helpful. I will reference just three of these since the other three are redundant in meaning and use.
 
Joshua 21:4 (NET)
 
(4)  The first lot belonged to the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
 
            The first use of the word "lot" refers to the actual item used in "casting lots". Usually a piece of wood, with a name written on it. Several pieces would be used to represent all involved in the casting. Names would be written on or inside the lot which would be drawn in order to obtain the current assigned lot or portion. Sometimes stones were used and shaken in a container, the first to roll out was the winner of the assigned lot- for good or bad! Casting lots could also be used to assign a lot, or lots- not by chance, but given to a person or party, in this case, a tribe. The NET correctly states that the cities were "allotted", not by chance, but by assignment. Different uses today include: "it is my lot in life", meaning it was not chosen, it just is or that it was given for one to suffer or to work. Or property obtained, a lot of land. A parking lot is a property set aside for cars to park in. In England, or the U.K., as I learned from a gardening show, people can obtain an allotment to use for planting flowers or vegetables.
 
            So, the first lot was assigned to the Kohathite clans. The lot itself was given to the representative on hand as a means of the claim to the land which was tied to that lot. In this case, as the Levites did not directly inherit any land, their lot were thirteen cities found in the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. You can continue reading this passage for other occurrences of our word inheritance and find they are of the same usage.
 
            I will end here for now. The next article will move to Isaiah 17 for a further look into inheritance. This occurrence will expand the idea of inheritance and we will see how it is vital to our understanding of the idea being brought forth in Ephesians.

What does it mean to be human? A question I have seen posed in books, magazine articles and blogs, TV shows and movies. There are so many different answers. So, what does it mean?

Jesus came for one purpose, so many say. But I think there is more to the story. Jesus came to offer himself up on the cross, Jesus came to forgive sins, Jesus came to heal, Jesus came to be the light and the life for all, and much more. Jesus also came to show us what it meant to be human, and this was very necessary. 

Adam was a human being. Had Adam continued under God's direction and instruction, Adam would have been the human we all should have been. Instead, Romans 5 tells us, Adam chose his own road, we might say the road of humanity but I am not so sure. Maybe Adam chose a road that was not truly human. Maybe Adam chose a road that lead away from humanity and we have been on that alternate road for so long that we do not even know what the right road looks like. 

God tried to remind humanity of what it meant to be human many times. The offer was always there. God tried through individuals, God tried through a nation. God did not fail, humanity did, and continues to fail. We always chose our own way. Part of being human is the ability to choose. The first human chose and sent all the rest down the same road. It is the road that you sometimes look up from and realize that you are going the wrong way. At times when you realize you are going the wrong direction you might try to redirect or recalculate (like Google maps does, recalculating...). The problem is that we all recalculate with Adam's faulty directions. It is very hard, very difficult as seen in Romans 7. We forget, every day, that the realest human being already gave us directions. This man even narrowed it down to the simplest possible way. 

Jonathan Mitchell gives us an excellent view of John 1:4.
​"And the life was continuing being, and began progressively existing as, the Light of mankind (or: Furthermore, the Light progressively came to be the life known as "humanity," and was for human beings; or: Then the life was existing being the light from the humans)."

I have always loved that translation. Jesus came as a human being (Philippians 2:5-11) and not only that, but he progressively became human thereby showing us what it means to be human. Jesus became the perfection that Adam should have been. Jesus shows us, yesterday, today, and in the future, what the right choice was and is. He gives us the answer to the question, what does it mean to be human?

Being human is not undesirable. Any thought of a future escape from humanity is, in my opinion, the wrong answer. Just because we may be looking forward to, as Paul did in Romans 7, relief from the flesh, does not mean we will not be human. Jesus as a man in absolute perfection sits next to our Father in heaven. The flesh does not make us human, it is only part of our current existence. When God made man, God declared it was very good. The hosts of heaven shouted for joy. 

God knows what it means to be human, and God wants us to know as well. A written record has been provided, the map of the correct road.  

I have been offering a short series at our church based on a single chapter from the book Reversed Thunder, by Eugene Peterson. The main idea that I have been trying to convey is God as our head,  God as our leader, God over us in all things, God is our king. I do not mean king as in a kingdom or governmental system as we might think. God has, as Mr. Peterson says, the last word on politics, the last word on everything. So, in essence, the world system, in it's various forms, has nothing over God, it has nothing that is of God, it's interests are solely rooted in and of itself. 

I have come to believe the best way to describe this system is found in Romans 5:12-21. Adam, and we can here insert humanity, attempted (attempts) to over-throw God. The result was, and is, death. God offers life. We offer death. The world systems that we all live under ultimately offer death. The apostle John wrote, "But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.", John 20:31. In the NRSV the word life appears 39 time in John, look them up and find that the only life worth anything, the only true opposite of death, is Jesus. In chapter 12 verse 25 tells us that life of this world is hopeless,  and to find hope you must hate your life in this world. Humanity's system will never be able to give you the life that was intended for you to live, never. The world's systems do not deserve our support. There is not one world system that has ever been Godly, not one ever in the past, not one now, and certainly there will never be such a world system. 

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
Col 3:1-3 NRSV

According to Ephesians, I, as a follower of Christ, have been raised and seated with him in the far above. Paul tells us in Romans that we have been baptized into Christ's cross-work, in its entirety. So we are hid in Christ, in God, away from this world and all that it stands for, and this means that everything about you should scream 'I am of God'! It should ooze from our pours so that it is unmistakable to those around us. This is what Paul is telling us. He continues to say that everything about us that is earthly (fleshly, worldly) should be put to death. That examples he gives are not definitive, they are rather a starting point, you can fill in the rest. Everything of the world, without exception. Jesus said we can only serve one master. One, and let the one be he who is seated far above all rulers, principalities, and authorities.

​

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. 
(Matthew 21:28-32 NRSV)

I love the two parables in Matthew 21 regarding vineyards. Vineyards are a also used in the prophets as allegory or parable. A similar use by Jesus can be used beyond theological beliefs and opinions. There are simple truths to be gleaned from these parables, reminders of who we are as believers or followers of Jesus, whether in the context of Israel and the coming and present kingdom, or as we are in Christ. 

Jesus is addressing the religious leadership, those who are actually keeping people out of the kingdom. I would like to think at least some of them did so ignorantly, but I am sure others did so with intention. That is what is told here, in the parable of the two sons. The first says no, I will not work in the vineyard today, but later has a change of heart, a repentance. The second, I used to see as a liar, says yes but then also has a change of heart. Where the second was a liar, to me, I now can also see as one who truly desired to do the right thing but was swayed either by others or by the daunting task ahead. We could view both as believers, both see the suffering and sacrifice of the labor. One has some personal issues, taken from how Jesus answers with prostitutes and tax collectors, the lowest sinners, whether or not they are followers of Christ. The second seems to be in good standing.

I am sure in Jesus' day there were sinful followers. Today we are sure of it, though washed clean, we still have our faults. I have come to believe on principle that I can not say some faults are worse than others, in general sense. We all have them. I think this is one area we get in trouble as those who are suppose to manifesting the grace of God. In this first parable the point seems to be clearly made. The ones who first said no I believe to equated with the sinners. They went and worked to bring the harvest. Is sin important? Of course it is, but I see Jesus saying that in this case, it is the labor of the harvest that he is looking for, not the personal failings of the laborers. There is grace here. The second son, or group, is called out simply for not laboring. The apparent 'goodness' is left out of consideration. This no doubt angered the hearers. Jesus is saying that the sinner who labored go in ahead of the 'righteous', or more properly, the 'self-righteous'.

Unfortunately this is a common scene today, as it was then. We have all heard stories of those who are not followers that see the poor witness of a proclaimed follower and therefor are turned away due to hypocrisy. Can you see this parable from inside the fellowship as well? Paul warns of both behaviors as being detrimental to our calling throughout his letters. Jesus is looking to the inside, and warning, hoping for repentance. 

As there was grace towards the sinning laborers, we can find grace towards other biblical people as well. Abraham is mentioned in Romans 4, Galatians 3, and Hebrews 11 with praise for his faithfulness, his belief in God and his willingness to follow God. No mention is made of Abraham's failings, of which there were at least a few. God remembers Abraham for his faithful labor. This is the testimony we ought to follow. We should not be questioning others faithfulness based on outward appearances. There is no 'unfairness' involved. The evidence Jesus sought against the religious leadership was self-incriminating, not a position we should ever find ourselves to be in. Serve God as you are able and be thankful for the service of others, no matter your view of outward perceptions. 

Jesus mentions John the Baptist as having told both groups, all of the people, as such there is no excuse. I think this statement worsens the entire outlook for the religious and self-righteous. Here, they are told that they saw the others working. This in itself was a indication of what was being called for, the call of the kingdom looked for labor. These folks watched the labor of the first, the sinners, yet did nothing. They were still relying on their supposed righteousness to speak for them. Even though Jesus still calls the first sinners, I wonder if they had changed as they labored, as they grew in their purpose. The growth was not due to rules and regulation, but to experience through labor. Jesus uses their formerly known associations as further evidence of faithfulness and to drive home the parable. Jesus had more to say...

Matthew 5:3-4 The Message Bible
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.    "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

This is a difficult concept to grasp and live out, but it is one that we should strive for in every moment.

​

What does it mean to live with power in the kingdom of God today? In concept, it is made simple for us to understand. In practice, it borders on the impossible. Living with power for God does not require a special school, it does not require special gifts or talents, God's kingdom asks for devotion. 100% devotion. 

Let's take a look at what 100% devotion looks like. This is very important. It is a big ask and God knows this, which is why we have a ready made plan set before us and no, it is not the bible. Your plan, the blueprint, map, or path, is a living person. If we had lived in the first century, in Corinth, and attended Paul's meetings, we would have had a pretty good person to follow in Paul. Paul shows us this when he says in 1 Corinthians 4:16 to follow his example, to imitate him. Paul urges this imitation. Later, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul adds the phrase, "as I am of Christ". We are looking for living example, Paul is not living though we can find examples in his epistles of what devotion looks like. 

We are going to work backwards, beginning with a hymn sung by some of the earliest believers:
Philippians 2:5-11 The Message Bible
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, —and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. 

Focus on the phrase, "he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death". Now, can you imagine living a completely selfless life? Seriously, selfless. Never a thought of yourself, ever. Nothing you did was for you. A couple of nights ago I traveled to Buffalo, NY with one of my brothers and my son to a rock concert, which was outstanding. The day before the show my wife asked if I was excited, of course I was, then she asked wouldn't you rather stay home with me? Wow! There is a loaded question. I responded with a half-truth, yes I would, but I also would like to spend it at the show! Is this a good example? I think it is, obviously my wife was not going to ask me to stay home, but when Jesus lived among us the idea of not going to the show was very real. Jesus lived for one being, God. Jesus was completely selfless! 

John 5:19 NRSV
Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.

The son, Jesus, could do NOTHING on his own! I believe this was a very factual statement, no tongue-in-cheek joking around. Jesus only did what God was doing through him. That is 100% devotion. Jesus gave it all. Does God require this of us? Jesus gave a couple of clues.

Matthew 16:24-25 NRSV
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 19:16-24 tells the story of the rich young man. He wants to enter the kingdom and is very troubled at Jesus explanation regarding how to enter. Jesus gives some simple commandments which the young man says he has already done. Then comes the deal breaker, give all of your riches away. The young mans riches were his identity, if it was money, his money was who he was. It occurred to me recently that we could put Paul's name (Saul) as the young man. Paul was rich in heritage and in the law. If Paul was the young man, he left hanging on to his identity rather than that of Jesus. If we see this as Paul, he hung on to it so tightly that he eventually became bitter and raged against Jesus by persecuting Jesus' followers. Imagine Paul hearing the news that Jesus was dead and feeling empowered to persecute the mindless followers of Jesus. Then Paul had the visit, I can imagine God remembering the young man's visit to the living Jesus and thinking that Paul would be perfect for the work, after he was knocked down from his high horse. Paul tells of this very fact in Philippians 3. Now I am not suggesting that the rich young man was in fact Paul, but I believe it is an excellent illustration. Give this some thought by putting yourself in the story, what are you rich in? How does it identify you?

So, there are many examples of how we should be living in God's kingdom, but there is just one true ask. It is the one that I said borders on impossible. In fact, right now, it is impossible. We are a work in progress and thankfully we have a God of patience. Can we still live in the kingdom? Yes, I believe we can, in moments of power. The real power is in the total surrender of ourselves for the sake of others.

For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. 
1 Corinthians 4:20, NRSV

God's kingdom is very powerful. Absolutely nothing can stand in it's way. It is a kingdom that has the power to change the lives of individuals, societies, and cultures. I believe the intention of God is that we live within his kingdom as engaged people, not passively waiting for a message or sign. God's kingdom is very active, super active, and those who understand this will be very busy manifesting God's work in their lives. It is natural for one living in the kingdom to show God's power, it is not easy, it is work, yet it is still natural. You see, God is not asking the impossible of us, in fact, the works of the kingdom were ordained ages ago, Ephesians 2:10. 

God has a future goal, but today we need not be concerned with the future, instead we should focus our attention on right now. Today, this very moment. Why? Because the kingdom is now, it is not only in the future, but right now. This does not mean that you should not know of the future which God has revealed, it means that such knowledge should not cause in-action, stagnation, because we know that it will all work out in the end! No, we are called to action, today.

Ephesians 1:17-20 The Message (MSG)
But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 

You might ask, is Paul referring  to God's kingdom in Ephesians? I believe he is (more on this later). I love the language used in this translation; "focused and clear", "immensity" and "glorious way of life", "utter extravagance", "endless energy and boundless strength". These are all words of intention, power, endurance, and strength. Where does it come from? Christ Jesus, it flows from God through him through the resurrection.  

So, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:20, that the kingdom is based on power, not talk. When Paul says 'talk', he is speaking of empty words, ideas that will never be acted on, setting huge and unrealistic goals, lofty ideas with no intentions or power putting them into action. Paul is getting after some folks in Corinth. They feel like they do not need any guidance, like they have it all. I love Jonathan Mitchell's expanded translation of verse 8:
1 Corinthians 4:8 Jonathan Mitchell NT (JMNT)
You folks already continuously exist being ones having become completely satiated, with the result that you are now fully satisfied. You are already suddenly rich. You people suddenly reign as kings apart from us! [note: these three statements could also be questions: Are you… Are you… Do you…?] And would that you surely did reign, so that we could also reign as kings together with you! 

Did you catch the note? Paul is asking them, sarcastically. In verses 18 and 19, he says they have become arrogant, full of talk with no power. The Message translation says they are just hot air. Jonathan Mitchell frequently uses the term, "breath-effect" when speaking of God's spirit. When God speaks, it is nothing short of life, of power. These folks in Corinth are the complete opposite, just breath with no effect. 

God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life. 
1 Corinthians 4:20 MSG

It is an empowered life. You see, that is what Paul is driving at in Ephesians chapter 1. There is real power in what God has for us and that power, the same power that raised the messiah, is dwelling in you. What are you prepared to do with it?