Skip to main content

Ephesians 1:4-5:Predestined


Ephesians 1:4–5
[4] . . . In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (ESV)

As a pastor, I have had many conversations with people. What people say helps me to understand just how deeply they understand the truths of Scripture.  At times people have made this statement to me: "I don't believe in predestination."  I kind of smile and reply, "Oh, then you're a heretic."  Of course, that is an invitation to a deeper discussion.

One of the things we need to understand is that all of Scripture is true, even the parts we do not understand or even parts we do not like.  In this wonderful passage in Ephesians 1, Paul let's us know that "in love, God predestined us for adoption." To say that we do not believe in predestination is to say that we do not believe in the Word of God.  If you belong to God, you have been predestined. The great late theologian R. C. Sproul defined predestination this way:

"What predestination means, in its most elementary form, is that our final destination, heaven or hell, is decided by God not only before we get there, but before we are even born. It teaches that our ultimate destiny is in the hands of God."
- R. C. Sproul, ligonier.org

I have heard people complain that predestination is unloving on God's part.  The fact is, that God is not obligated to love or redeem any of fallen humanity.  He is completely just to save none of us! As Paul says at the end of verse 4, "IN LOVE. . ." Predestination is God's most loving act of bringing us unworthy, ungrateful sinners to himself.

Predestination is a tough concept for our finite minds to grasp.  Take a moment and thank God that he predestined you for eternity with him.  This wonderful doctrine should create a profound sense of gratitude in you that helps you get through the most difficult days.  Are you having a difficult time in your life right now? If you belong to God, through Jesus Christ, thank him that you are predestined!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their