Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 18, 2019
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
My mother left a modest inheritance, but significant for a single mom whose annual income rarely, if ever, exceeded the poverty level. My two brothers and I are grateful for her generosity, but mostly we look forward to being with Momma in heaven. What she left behind is a reminder of what we can look forward to with joyful anticipation. Mom marked her three sons with her incomplete character—knowing now she is complete—the best version of herself. We gratefully hold on to her influence within memories with a glimpse of what’s to come: mom’s perfected love.
As children of God we are marked and sealed by the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus, who is Himself the down payment of our heavenly Father’s inheritance. We are saved, sealed and secure. Our incomplete condition on earth will one day be completed in heaven. Limited by our imperfections now, we will be perfected by God in His loving presence. Grace is a taste of what’s to come for those who have trusted Christ. A deposit of divine love, is a reminder of “that day” when we will possess fully and will be possessed fully by God to the praise of His glory!
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
If we only live for all we can gain in this life: status, stuff, or spiritual accolades—then we will have our reward—the praise of people. Earthly pursuits such as the admiration of others, self promotion and choreographed careers—yield earthly rewards, while eternal pursuits like feeling God’s pleasure, selfless living and vocational abandonment—yield eternal rewards. Some of us may have started with an eternal mindset, but now need a midlife course correction, back to the mind of Christ. Taste and see the Lord is good—our Savior Jesus is all we need for what’s needed now and then.
What is to come for those united in Christ? Human eyes cannot perceive, earthbound ears cannot hear and beating hearts cannot feel what our heavenly Father has in store for those who love Him more than life itself. There is an unspoken, unfathomable experience Jesus is making ready for those who are ready to meet Him. Images of streets of gold and pearly gates do not do justice to our just and imaginative Creator. What is to come is God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit, perfect love’s trifecta, all consuming for those who fully inherit God to the praise of His glory.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I look forward to being fully immersed in Your great love, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
How can I grow my pursuits to align to what’s on God’s heart and mind?
Related Reading
Isaiah 64:4, 65:17, Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 2:18
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Limited by our imperfections now, we will be perfected by God in His loving presence. #WisdomHunters #heaven #Jesus #truth
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