Of Knowing The Hope Of Our Calling.
Adapted From A Sermon By
Philip Doddridge
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
(Ephesians 1:18)
Our text this morning in a sermon by Philip Doddridge is Ephesians 1:18: Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints as we consider: Knowing The Hope Of Our Calling.
In addressing the disciples, our Lord cautions against excessive worry about things if this world, offering this reason among others: "For the Gentiles seek after all these things."{Matthew 6:32} It is not surprising that those without hope of a better existence, lacking God in their lives, chase such things. However, it is a sad thing that Christians, in many cases, disregard their divine heritage and heavenly goals, holding tightly to this imperfect world as if they belong only to it, with their share limited to this life.
Doddridge's previous sermon sought to lift your thoughts to higher ideals and a more noble mindset, contrasting the perfection of the heavenly state with the shortcomings that surround us here. Yet must we not admit, to our shame and conviction, that we have too often pursued temporary distractions, losing sight of that perfect state? Where have our thoughts, desires, and hopes been? Sadly, too often in this lower world, though I hope, through grace, not entirely so.
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and insight, opening the eyes of our hearts, so that we may grasp the hope of his calling and the vast riches of his inheritance in the saints.
The apostle Paul, in writing to his friends at Ephesus, describes the blessings he earnestly sought for them in prayer. Upon closer look, these blessings are not tied to material wealth from crops or vineyards but to their firmness in the Christian faith and their preparation for eternal glory. He prayed that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give them the Spirit of wisdom and insight in knowing him.
From these words, one could easily draw several valuable lessons: that heaven represents a rich and glorious divine inheritance for the saints, forming the Christian’s great hope; that many who share in this hope do not fully understand it; that grasping this hope requires the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened by divine guidance; and that such enlightened understanding is a profound blessing, worthy of our prayers for ourselves and our fellow believers. These insights could be explored in detail, but their core will naturally arise within the following structure.
I. We may consider the depiction of heaven presented here: the hope of our calling and the vast glory of God's inheritance among the saints.
II. We may investigate why this hope remains so unfamiliar, even to those blessed with the Christian revelation who have, overall, genuinely accepted it.
III. We will consider the importance of having the eyes of our hearts opened, so that we may achieve a clearer understanding of this hope.
IV. We will examine the method by which we may reasonably expect this enlightenment to take place,
V. And conclude with a short application.
I. This morning we will take a closer look at only the first heading: the view of future happiness that the apostle shares with us. The remaining headings we will consider in the next sermon by Doddridge.
The word of God provides a deep and highly instructive description of this happiness, especially in the portrayal given here. Surely, every word selected by the apostle holds significant meaning. He either implies or directly declares that we should see it as an inheritance—a divine inheritance, rich and splendid; an inheritance belonging to, or shared among, saints; and the greatest hope of the Christian calling. May God direct our thoughts as we reflect on each of these elements.
1. The text portrays heaven as an inheritance, a word often used in scripture and mentioned twice earlier in this letter, where it states, "In him we have obtained an inheritance."{Ephesians 1:11, 14} In this context, the Spirit, as a preview of heaven, is called the guarantee of our inheritance. This idea is reflected in the repeated promise of inheriting eternal life. Even in the final judgment of the righteous, our Lord describes heaven in this way, saying: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom."{Matthew 25:34}
The word inheritance implies both a time of waiting and a possession that lasts forever, making it an appropriate description here. Heaven is an inheritance for which we must wait for a period. On earth, those expecting to inherit property often wait during their youth, sometimes under the care of guardians, with limited resources and less authority than servants. Similarly, Christians may now find themselves in such a condition. Yet, as the apostle points out, they remain heirs according to the promise.
This view can help us accept even the most difficult and limiting situations our heavenly Father assigns. We will soon reach maturity and receive the inheritance. In the meantime, having too much might lead us to waste it, possibly dishonoring our Father and harming ourselves. As the apostle suggests regarding earthly struggles, if we respected our human parents who set limits on us, we should far more submit to the Father of our spirits.{Hebrews 12:9}
Moreover, this inheritance is eternal. Typically, an inheritance is property secured for a man’s lifetime, not just a short period, or it would not be much of an inheritance. When used for worldly possessions, it has a lesser meaning, as we are mere tenants of the great Lord, subject to losing everything at His will, bringing nothing into the world and taking nothing out. However, when applied to the heavenly state, the word inheritance takes on deep meaning. It represents an everlasting possession, free from enemies or the threat of death. Thus, it is described, as noted earlier, as an inheritance of eternal life, with the promise called an eternal inheritance.
The apostle Peter expresses great gratitude for this, thanking God for granting us the vibrant hope of "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading."{1 Peter 1:4} Even if your earthly possessions are reduced to a coffin and burial cloth, your joyful spirit would look upon the worn, decaying remains and see all that was lost as nothing compared to what you have gained and will possess forever. This, then, is one part of the view: heaven is an inheritance.
2. The text describes heaven as a divine inheritance, referred to as his inheritance in the saints. This description is appropriate, for it is both prepared and given by God, and its core lies in resembling and enjoying Him. God’s boundless wisdom designed the plan for our happiness, suited to our nature and His own, as shown in the heartfelt thought from Matthew, where Christ declares to the righteous, "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."{Matthew 25:34} This implies that God was planning this glorious home even before our existence, a notion reflected in Proverbs, where wisdom, before man’s creation, rejoiced "in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man."{Proverbs 8:30, 31} In this, God finds joy in looking forward to the pleasures His creatures will experience. He affirms, "I know the plans I have for you."{Jeremiah 29:11}
Ultimately, this inheritance will be received from God’s hands through Christ, as an expression of His love and free grace. Though called a reward,{Colossians 3:24} it is a reward not of obligation but of grace, as the apostle clearly states: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life."{Romans 6:23}
if we pause to seriously consider this, we recognize our unworthiness of this gift, hardly able to believe it was meant for us, were it not for the assurance that we are "predestined for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ."{Ephesians 1:11} Furthermore, this inheritance is divine because it involves resembling and enjoying God. The glory, beauty, and happiness of a thinking being must come from mirroring God, the ultimate standard of perfection. The righteous see this as the heart of their hope, though its details remain partly unknown. "We shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."{1 John 3:2} As for me, I shall behold his face in righteousness.{Psalm 17:15}
This change will be accompanied by the joy of God’s presence. "For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face."{Psalm 18:15} With kind beams of approval and delight, He will look upon us when our sins are cleansed, and we reflect His image like a clear, flawless mirror, according to the capacity of our fragile nature. How enriched we will feel in the certainty of an eternal bond with Him. Thus, we are called "heirs of God"{Romans 8:17} Himself.
In a way far beyond any earthly saint’s experience, we may declare, "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance."{Psalm 16:5, 6}. This God is our God; He guides us here until death—no, He has guided us beyond it, and death is no more. Heart and flesh have failed, but they shall fail no longer, for God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. My God, grant me these lasting riches, and distribute gold, jewels, lands, and properties on earth to whomever You choose. In You, I have enough; I have everything. This leads to further note,
3. That it is a rich and splendid inheritance. This truth is powerfully expressed through the phrase, "That you may know... what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,"{Ephesians 1:18}, or, in other words, His rich and glorious inheritance. This expression reflects a common Hebrew idiom, often used in this epistle. For example, it is stated that He has "predestined... us to the praise of his glorious grace."{Ephesians 1:5, 6} In the following verse, we find the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of his grace, meaning His abundant grace. Similarly, in verse 19, the working of his mighty power is described in the original text as the energy of the might of his power. This inheritance is valuable due to its abundance and magnificence. It is splendid because it shines with a combined brilliance of both body and mind.
i) The inheritance is valuable due to its abundance and magnificence. Wealth varies in degree, but the main understanding of riches is that a man is truly wealthy when he possesses all that he desires. In this sense, the contented man is always rich, even in this world. On this basis, the apostle Paul, who declared he had learned the blessed lesson to be content in any circumstance{Philippians 4:11}, sometimes describes himself as among the wealthiest on earth, stating, we are "poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything."{2 Corinthians 6:10} If we nurtured more of this blessed attitude, it would transform modest homes into grand palaces, or something even greater.
In heaven, however, we shall experience this contentment fully. There, all disruptive passions that now trouble the mind, and the spirit too inclined to envy, lust, or empty desires, will be completely calmed. The joyful soul will look down upon the temporary treasures of earth and declare, "what a world of things are there which I do not want." Indeed, there will be differences in the degrees of glory, yet every soul will be so thoroughly convinced of the wisdom and goodness guiding these distinctions, will feel such genuine affection for every superior spirit, will receive so many blessings from him, and will sense a steady progression toward that greater happiness, that complete contentment and satisfaction will prevail—surpassing even the paradise of Adam.
Moreover, this inheritance is not only marked by contentment but also by great magnificence. It is described as "what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined."{1 Corinthians 2:9} For this reason, scripture portrays the saints as kings unto God, dressed in radiant robes and crowned with gold. The afflicted church, tossed by storms and without comfort, is encouraged to anticipate that glorious day when its foundations shall be laid with sapphires, its borders adorned with polished stones, its windows made of agate, and its gates of carbuncles.{Isaiah 54:11, 12} Such magnificent promises are proclaimed of you, O city of God! It is therefore added,
ii) That it is glorious due to the combined brilliance of both body and mind. Glory, properly speaking, refers to something radiant, something that shines brightly. Thus, the luminous event, which served as a sign of the Divine presence within the cloud, is called the glory of the Lord, often distinguished from the cloud itself. In reference to this, scripture speaks to the church about the privileges of the gospel, particularly its heavenly hope, saying, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."{Isaiah 60:1}.
You can easily imagine, though imperfectly, how well this applies to the heavenly state. The body will certainly have its own brilliance, as it is written that "the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."{Matthew 13:43} Even more is said of the glorified body in heaven, for it is declared that he "will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body."{Philippians 3:21} When he was on earth, during the transfiguration,{Matthew 17:2} and when he appeared to John, "his face was like the sun shining in full strength."{Revelation 1:16} Yet, those fortunate apostles who witnessed this vision could not have endured its full splendor as it appears in the presence of his Father above; as with Moses, when he spoke to the people, a veil partially covered his face.
We would think in a manner most unworthy of Divine wisdom and love if we imagined that all this bodily brilliance and glory were designed, like decorations of a pagan temple, to house a base or impure inhabitant. No, the glories of the mind will certainly surpass those of the body, just as the nature of spirit surpasses matter in its most radiant and elevated form.
What constitutes glory in the human mind? Is it the love of God, always flowing through the soul like a pure, refreshing river, nurturing every virtue and grace? Is it complete submission to His will? A steadfast zeal for His glory and service? Is it pure, selfless kindness toward all His creatures, coupled with a readiness to promote and rejoice in their happiness? Is it the consistent control of the rational and intellectual nature over the sensitive soul, with appetites and passions perfectly aligned under the guiding faculty? In heaven, there will be all this devotion and zeal, all this kindness and purity, all this harmony and order of soul forever.
These virtues, and perhaps countless others—whose names and nature remain unknown—will abound. Just as the blessed God may possess perfections beyond our comprehension, so too may the blessed spirits reflect Him in those perfections, inheriting joys and glories beyond our current understanding, much like a blind man could never conceive the mingled beauties of nature and art in the finest landscape under the brightest day, as seen by a clear and keen eye.
4. The text further teaches us to view heaven as the inheritance of the saints, in the saints, or among the saints. This expression appears often in scripture. Give thanks, says the apostle, "to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."{Colossians 1:12} Similarly, when our Lord calls Paul and grants him that memorable commission, it is so that those converted by his efforts "may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified."{Acts 26:18} Additionally, when the apostle bids farewell to the Ephesian Elders, he commends them to the "word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."{Acts 20:32} We may reasonably conclude that an expression so frequently repeated holds deep meaning and naturally suggests two significant ideas: that the heavenly state will be unique to saints, shared by all such individuals, and a state in which they will, in a most delightful manner, enjoy each other’s company. We will briefly examine each of these points in greater detail.
i) Heaven represents an inheritance set aside solely for the saints. This idea carries such importance that the word of God frequently highlights it. We could conclude from the nature of this joy, deeply rooted in the purity of the soul, that nothing impure may enter the new Jerusalem. We could also reason that without holiness, no person could comfortably face the Lord or inherit his kingdom unless reborn. However, to prevent any failure in reaching this conclusion, or to counter the cleverness of human reasoning that might avoid it (as there seems hardly any truth it cannot somehow escape), God has clearly stated it. "Do not be deceived," says the apostle, "neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."{1 Corinthians 6:9, 10}
On the other hand, the wicked will certainly face everlasting punishment, just as the righteous gain eternal life.{Matthew 25, 46} The expectation of the wicked leads to death. This comes not only from the fears of a guilty conscience but rests on the word of God itself, which solemnly declares "wrath and fury, tribulation and distress,"{Romans 2:8, 9} as the fate of every man who commits evil. For such unrepentant sinners, nothing remains but a certain and terrifying expectation of wrath when the Lord Jesus Christ appears "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."{2 Thessalonians 1:8}
Therefore, let this truth be written on the hearts of each of us: the joy you have heard about today belongs only to the saints. Though the world may mock the name, God will honor it on another day, and only those who have carried the mark of his holiness here will share in it. Thus, you must ensure the truth of that sacred principle lives in your souls if you ever hope to take part in this inheritance. If you do not, I declare to you today that you will surely perish, and I call God to witness that my soul is clear of the blood of all. Sooner shall heaven itself disappear than its golden gates open to admit any but a holy soul.
ii) The text further suggests that heaven will be shared by all such individuals, meaning every saint of God will receive his final portion and inheritance there. This represents an important and essential truth: while there are varying degrees of glory corresponding to different levels of spiritual growth, it follows necessarily that every person who truly possesses the essence of faith within him will be entitled, through divine grace, to his portion. The young child in the family remains a child and will receive a child’s portion. Every person who receives the water that Christ provides will find it, as scripture states, a spring of water, "welling up to eternal life;"{John 4:14} thus, the apostle declares that the crown is reserved not only for him but for "all who have loved his appearing."{2 Timothy 4:8} Regardless of the different paths they may have followed, as long as those paths align with holiness, they will all lead to one blessed destination. Therefore, it is with utmost accuracy called an "inheritance among all those who are sanctified."{Acts 20:32}
iii) The expression further suggests that heaven is a state where the saints will enjoy the pleasant company of one another. This represents a deep and important truth, and the apostle emphasizes its significance when he describes the joy of Christians as their arrival at the general assembly.{Hebrews 12:23} He also declares it as God’s purpose to gather together in one all things in Christ.{Ephesians 1:10} The same idea is expressed in the words of the text, presenting a splendid vision: that our destiny should be connected with such virtuous companions and placed among the saints, living in light and glory.
It is a highly enjoyable situation to be positioned here in a way that allows frequent enjoyment of good company, particularly the companionship of wise and virtuous men, which remains, after all, the finest company. The earth, says David, holds those "excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."{Psalm 16:3} It is most desirable that our closest and dearest companions in life be of such character, which, by the way, should urge young people to exercise great care in choosing their lifelong partners, prioritizing what is so often overlooked.
However, no matter how pleasant our circumstances here may be, there will always be some annoyance or trouble; but in heaven, there will be no painful obstacles or sharp troubles, only everlasting joyful fellowship. We would find a unique pleasure if divine providence placed us near the locations where ancient patriarchs and holy apostles once lived, to trace their footsteps, to reflect on the mountains where they built altars to the Lord, or to note where the house of one stood or the bones of another rest.
How much more delightful, then, to dwell with these individuals themselves, in a state so greatly improved and elevated beyond what the earth knew of them, alongside all the saints, both known and unknown—those with whom we have worshiped God on earth, those who departed this world long before our birth, and perhaps even some we scarcely expected to encounter there. Let us not fear being lost in such a multitude.
It is true that here, friends sometimes hinder one another. But there, our means of interaction will surely expand in proportion to the growth of our connections, and our mutual love will be so complete that even when we are not directly conversing, the mere sight of such a gathering of beloved friends will fill our hearts with sacred joy.
5. Heaven is presented as the great hope of the Christian's calling: "That you may know what is the hope to which he has called you." Elsewhere, it is described as "the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"{Philippians 3:14} our Savior, meaning the splendid and magnificent prize for which, in the gospel, we are called to strive. Elsewhere, it is stated, "as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call;"{Ephesians 4:4} which suggests that only the gospel could provide this hope, and that the main purpose of the gospel is to focus men's hearts and efforts on it.
i) The text indicates that only the gospel gives us hope for heaven. Many Bible verses support this idea. For example, non-believers are described as having no hope:{Ephesians 2:12} This idea appears often, as we are told not to "grieve as others do who have no hope:"{1 Thessalonians 4:14} In contrast, the gospel declares that Christ is our hope;{1 Timothy 1:1} that Christ in us is the hope of glory;{Colossians 1:27} and that through Jesus’s resurrection, we gain a strong hope for an eternal inheritance:{1 Peter 1:3} Other verses could also be mentioned to show this truth.
This teaching makes sense because without the gospel, we would have no certainty about a happy afterlife. To be sure of future happiness using only human reasoning, we would need to know for certain that God forgives sins. However, there is no way we could have this certainty. At best, we would have only a weak and uncertain hope.
Some people argue that if a person truly repents, God must forgive their sins because punishment is meant to reform the sinner. However, true repentance is unlikely without the gospel’s teachings. Even the most virtuous non-believers show no clear signs of true repentance in their writings. More importantly, this argument is wrong because punishment is not only about reforming the sinner. It also upholds God’s justice, warns others against sinning, and serves larger purposes that might require eternal punishment, even for those who repent, especially if their sins are repeated or long-lasting.
Human laws sometimes punish people who sincerely repent, showing that repentance does not always cancel punishment. Even the wisest person could not say for certain that God would not view things the same way. The gospel shows that forgiveness comes through Jesus’s life and death, showing that even sincere repentance alone is not enough for God to accept us.
Without the gospel, we have no reason to expect deep and lasting happiness in the afterlife. Human reasoning suggests God judges people based on their actions, but it cannot confirm whether this leads to happiness or just different levels of punishment for everyone’s sins. Even if we assume a happy afterlife exists, without the gospel, our understanding of it would be unclear and limited.
We have no reason to think we would imagine a better afterlife than ancient Greeks, Romans, or modern Hindu scholars and Chinese intellectuals. Their ideas about the afterlife are unclear and simple, picturing pleasant gardens or social gatherings but not an eternal end to sorrow or complete happiness with God. This is not surprising, as human reason alone cannot envision such a profound state.
The idea of eternal happiness for both soul and body in God’s presence is not found in ancient writings or modern non-Christian beliefs. Human reason might imagine temporary pleasures or cycles of reincarnation, but not an everlasting end to sorrow or complete joy with God. Christ, through the gospel, reveals life and immortality, and this hope is so extraordinary that it seems almost unbelievable, except as a result of his righteousness, sacrifice, and God’s free grace.
ii) We further state that the main purpose of the gospel is to guide our desires and efforts toward this happiness. This is the greatest hope of our calling, the deep hope that the gospel offers, as the apostle writes of the "hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, has promised."{Titus 1:2}
The Lord declares, I give to my sheep eternal life,{John 10:28} and similar statements. This is why he received great power, so that he may give eternal life.{John 17:2} He sent his apostles to turn people from darkness to light, so they might receive this inheritance. We are said to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.{2 Thessalonians 2:14}
This idea is so central that the entire gospel system is named after it, called the kingdom of heaven, because it aims to lead us there. While we receive great privileges in this life as soon as we believe, as the apostle John says, "to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"{John 1:12} these privileges ultimately point to this hope. The value of our current blessings is mainly judged by their connection to our future hopes.
This focus is clear because Christ himself ascended to heaven. God showed him the path of life,{Psalm 16:11} to draw our hearts there, as it is fitting that where he is, his followers should also be. The apostle argues, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."{Colossians 3:1}
God’s providence and his word confirm this truth. If heaven were not the ultimate goal of the Christian calling, there would be a clearer difference between sincere Christians and others in this life. This truth shows the unique greatness of the Christian faith and proves its divine origin, as it lifts our minds above temporary things and fixes them on eternal ones, building a strong foundation for practicing virtue and grace, even in the hardest situations and trials that only this hope can overcome.
Since this is true let us strive to strengthen our determination, stay clear-minded, and hold fast to this hope for glory, making it the main focus of our life, to prove we are true Christians and have not received God’s grace in vain. Let us turn our attention away from temporary distractions, control our feelings toward them, and overcome your earthly desires.