Predestination into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ — Eph 1:4,5
I studied Ephesians 1 with my wife this morning and I got stuck as soon as I got to verse 6 — why? I felt a need in my spirit to discuss this “predestination” as I feel there might be some misunderstanding around this among believers.
The purpose of this post today is to discuss what I have come to an understanding of regarding “predestination” after years of misunderstanding it.
God is omniscient
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen — 1 Timothy 1:17
So wise and loving He is that He made salvation available before the foundations of the world
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. — Revelation 13:8
With this knowledge as a background, sometimes it gets confusing when we read verse 4 of Ephesians 1 which says:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: — Ephesians 1:4
Does this mean those who are saved were called by God? Yes
Does this mean those who are unsaved haven’t been called by God? No
The “confusion” comes from how the answer to the second question is “No” — this will be the subject for the rest of the article.
We’ll answer all these questions using scriptures and a few explanations where necessary.
Who is salvation available for?
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. — Romans 5:18
Sin and death came into the world by one man “Adam”; redemption was likewise brought to the world for all by Christ Jesus — this makes it clear that salvation is available for everyone.
How then does the adoption into Christ happen
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: — John 1:12
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. — Romans 10:10
You see from here that the adoption into Christ comes by receiving Him and we receive Him by believing and confessing unto salvation.
I get it, but you haven’t talked about the “predestination” part
We need to first think of the nature of God to understand this.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. — 1 John 4:8
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9
Placing these scriptures side to side, you see that God loves all men; this is the reason He sent his Son to come and die for all — would the same God who doesn’t want any to perish pick some over the others? No.
Then why?
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. — 2 Thessalonians 3:2
Sadly, it is by choice but not necessarily their doing; then whose?
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. — 2 Corinthians 4:3–4
The “god of this world” has blinded their minds so they do not believe.
From all this, the predestination refers to those who choose to accept the finished work of grace executed on the cross in Christ Jesus for all.
What can we do to get men saved?
As believers, we’re not helpless; in fact, we have a responsibility to do something about this.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; — 2 Corinthians 5:18
We are all called to preach the gospel; this responsibility was never meant for the Pastors, Bishops & Evangelists alone — those are offices — but this work is given to all saints.
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, — Acts 1:1
Jesus taught and did — as believers, we’re called to live the life of Christ — He owns our life.
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. — 2 Corinthians 2:14
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. — Galatians 2:20
We are called both to teach and to lead a life that shows forth Christ — this is how we make manifest the savour of His knowledge.
To understand the template of a believer, you should study 1 Timothy 3:1–13; I’ll place an excerpt below:
He should be respected by those who are unbelievers, having a beautiful testimony among them so that he will not fall into the traps of Satan and be disgraced.— 1 Timothy 3:7 (TPT)
What we can do differently in 2021
A new year is approaching and the coming of the year does not automatically make things change — let’s be sincere — what will usher in the change is a change in us.
We must be given to praying — praying for the light of God’s Word to spread and doing the work.
Happy new year!!! 🎉 🎊
