Ephesians 1:5: According to the purpose of his will

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

Have you ever tried to discern what God's will is? I hope you have. God's will should always have preeminence in our lives. We live to accomplish what he wills. But, I want us to consider God's perfect will in regards to our adoption as his children of God.

Paul says that we were predestined for adoption, according to God's will. We often hear churches preach a Gospel that emphasizes us "choosing" God. It implies a doctrinal position that we are in charge of salvation, and things hinge on our will. But our adoption as children of God is in accordance with the purpose of God's will.

Imagine God, as a ruler of the largest kingdom, looking at potential orphan children to consider for adoption into his family. Do you think the orphans are going to call the shots? No, the one doing the choosing is going to be the wealthy ruler. Our God is the wealthy ruler of all things. There is none greater. And he predestines us for adoption, according to his will. Our God is sovereign. We would never respond by faith in God if he had not taken the first step in choosing us to come to him.

We love our own will. We are fascinated by how clever we think we are. But it is not our own will that saves us. Rather, it is our will that condemns us. The great Charles Spurgeon said it this way:

"Free-will doctrine-what does it? It magnifies man into God. It declares God's purposes a nullity, since they cannot be carried out unless men are willing. It makes God's will a waiting servant to the will of man, and the whole covenant of grace dependent on human action. Denying election on the ground of injustice, it holds God to be a debtor to sinners."
- Charles Spurgeon

Friend, if you are a child of God, it is because he predestined you for adoption, according to the purpose of his will. Take a moment today and rejoice in God's choice! As for your will, pray that God will purify your heart and help you to submit your imperfect will to God's perfect will.

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