For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:4-6
God chose us and he predestined us. One idea is that God, who knows everything before it ever happens, chose those who would receive salvation and those who wouldn't before he even created anything. Another idea is that God has chosen to save everyone through Jesus, but only those who accept his salvation (who receive Jesus and believe in his name) are actually placed into the body of Christ where the they make up the body of "chosen" believers. I remember reading where the Pharisees rejected God's purpose for themselves. This sounds as though they has a purpose for which God has chosen them, but they rejected it.
This sounds like free will. God chooses people, to do certain things for God's glory - but the people still have to actually do those things!
* I believe The Holy Spirit has to do a work just so we can have our eyes opened enough to see the choice.
* I believe The Holy Spirit has to do the work just so we can have the power to make a choice.
* Ultimately, I believe we still have a choice - I believe at some point in each person's life they are given a choice to make!
He chose us to be holy and blameless
That word blameless means unblemished. This is the same word used to describe Jesus, when he is compared to the sacrificial Lamb in Jewish custom. He is the unblemished lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Since we are in Christ, when God looks in our direction he sees Christ! He sees us positionally and will ultimately make us completely unblemished!
Does God's choosing require that we choose back, or is it all fixed ahead of time? Personally, I can't see the good in pondering these question. The important thing is that those of us who are in Christ, can truly say we are unique. From the inside, looking out, we can call ourselves the chosen ones.
Praise God, He chose us to be holy and blameless!
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons!
Just wanted to take a moment to say I'm really enjoying this series. I stop by often, but don't always leave a comment. Eph. is a great book and was quite influential to me when I first got saved 10 years ago. Thanks for posting these!
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