Guaranteed Inheritance

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer about Generous Grace and Guaranteed Glory

     In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:13-14

     Gracious Father, sometimes reading Paul’s letters is like standing in front of a completely open, gushing fire hydrant of living water, or like trying to maintain my balance while positioning myself under the Niagara Falls of your mercy and grace. It’s hard to stand up to the rush of so much glory and love. It’s simply overwhelming to try to take in all the good news…

     Such as being loved and chosen in Christ, even before this world was created; being justified by faith and declared to be righteous in God’s sight, who as his adopted son, we now call “Abba, Father”; indwelt and changed by the Spirit, beloved and betrothed to Jesus—the ultimate spouse we all long for; a completely forgiven past, a present standing in grace, and a future of unimaginable wonder. Father, you’ve given us staggering riches in Jesus; and the truth is we only see and experience a small fraction of what is really there.

     But what really encourages me today is knowing that all of this is guaranteed. You’ve “sealed the deal” by the Holy Spirit. You’ve guaranteed our inheritance in Christ. You’ve given us the down payment, the firstfruits, the promise of a future beyond our wildest dreams and asking.

     There’s no possibility of “bait and switch” or “revoking the warranty.” There’s no factory recalls, no fine print or doublespeak; no possibility of bankruptcy or legal maneuverings; you’ll have no regrets for loving us, nor will you change your mind about making us yours. Nothing will sabotage your bringing to completion of the good work you’ve begun in us and in your entire cosmos!

     Father, rip grip and transform our hearts with the gospel—this gospel of your immeasurable, irrepressible grace. Make of us a people who live to declare your praises—a people who love as you love us; forgive as you have forgiven us; and spend our lives for others, because you have spent your Son for us. What else could we possibly want to do with the rest of our lives… even throughout eternity? So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and gracious name.