Responding to Ephesians 1:4-5, (Predestined by God) Part Two
Paul says, “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will” (Ephesians 1:5). The apostle Paul continues to discuss the theme of predestination, connecting it to the themes of love and adoption. Because of His love, God chose in advance for believers to become His children. But he didn’t predestine certain individuals — as opposed to other unfortunate individuals — to be in Christ. This is left up to o
Responding to Ephesians 1:4-5, (Chosen by God) Part One
Paul says, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:4). What did God choose? Did God choose us to be in Christ? Notice that Paul doesn’t say that God chose us to be in Christ. He rather says God chose us in Christ “to be holy and blameless.” What God chose from the foundation of the world was that whoever is in Christ will be holy and blameless. He’s not choosing who will be in Christ and who
