Ephesians 1:4-5

"Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love" Ephesians 1:4.

Tell me... did you just read that, "Since God has chosen us... now we must be holy before Him?" It's easy to read it that way, because that's what has seeped into the mind-set of this world... But it's not what this verse just said, and we will see that even more-so as we continue. God chose each one of us before the foundation of this world "so that" we should be (and we "will be", as we'll see in the next few verses) Holy, so that God's plan will be manifested!

Why, because He loves us, and you and I could not have picked Him... nor could we make Him pick us by being holy! Paul is not going to teach us how to "be" holy in this chapter or anywhere else in the bible. What he will do is promise us, in great detail, what the Plan of God -through Jesus Christ - through The Holy Spirit - and through God's Word, "will" become of us! Praise God, and Thank you Father!

Paul explains why God saved any of us writing that... "(God) has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" 2 Tim 1:9.

Later in 2 Timothy, Paul explained to Timothy that... "For this reason I endure all things (he is suffering the hardship of imprisonment as he writes) for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory" 2 Tim 2:10.

Although Paul did not know who you and I were, his heart's desire was to reach the elect, those who had already been chosen by God from the foundation of the world, in order that we might take hold of the salvation for which we have been chosen.

This verse puts a "damper" on those who say that since God knows who the elect are and they will be saved, we don't need to evangelize.

Paul would strongly disagree. John Arrowsmith, an English theologian and academic, wrote this... "In whatever dunghill God's jewels be hid, election will both find them out there and fetch them out from hence."

In Acts, Luke uses a different word to draw a parallel thought that... "And as many as had been 'appointed' to eternal life believed" Acts 13:48.

Jesus used eklego to explain to His apostles... "You did not choose (eklego) Me, but I chose (eklego) you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you" John 15:16.

In the case where the disciples began to think that they had become "holy", or worthy, or special... by some means of their own, from the privileges they enjoyed, Jesus made it clear that such privilege rested not in their own merit, but on His sovereign choice of them. Let's look at verse 5 today too, because it really puts what we just looked at in focus.

5. "For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]"

Christian, friend, child of God... Do you wonder if you're gonna "make it", with this faith? Does it seem like you're losing ground? Is the struggle worth it? Listen... I love how this says... "He destined us... planned in love for us... to be adopted... actually revealed as His own children!" That is a good word right there, loved ones! But He goes on to say that it is through Jesus Christ... and, in accordance with the purpose of God's will! Why? Because it "pleased" Him!

We better stop here, friends, but if I could be bold for just a moment... If someone is losing confidence in themselves tonight. If you feel like you are losing your faith today... Please soak in these few verses until we come back in this study. It's not about your ability... Your strength... Your resources... Your place in the ministry... It's about how much God loves you and has loved you, since eternity past! It's about His plan for you... How you are part of His plan. You should sleep like a baby tonight, seeing the significance of just this word right here! Amen?

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 1:6 next time.

I love you.