Ephesians1:3-6 is one long sentence. Today we are looking at the blessings that we havefrom God the Father. “Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has blessed us…” (v.3). Verses 3-6 are speaking of our blessings thatwe have from God the Father. When Jesus Christ wrote His last will andtestament for His church, He made it possible for us to share in His spiritualriches. Instead of spending it all for Him, (as some do when they receive aninheritance), Jesus Christ paid for it all. His death on the cross and Hisresurrection made it possible for our salvation.
Myfriend, Jesus wrote us into His will and then He died so that the will would beenforced. That's what the book of Hebrews is about. Then He rose again that Hemight become the heavenly advocate, our lawyer, to make sure that the terms ofthe will were correctly followed.
Inthis long sentence Paul begins to name just a few of the blessings that we havethat make up our spiritual wealth. First, we find in verse four here that Godhas “chosen us in Him”. This is the speaking of the marvelous doctrineof election, a doctrine that has confused some and confounded others. Aseminary professor once remarked, "You try to explain election and you'lllose your mind. But try to explain it away and you may lose your soul."
TheScriptures teach that salvation begins with God and not with man. AllChristians must agree upon this. "You have not chosen me," Jesussaid, "but I have chosen you." (John 15:16). The lost sinnerleft to his own ways does not seek God. He hides from God. Remember Adam andEve after they sinned (Genesis 3:8). God in His love seeks the sinner (Luke19:10).
Notethat God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation iswholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. Hechose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: “to beholy and without blame”. In the Bible, election is always unto something.It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. We are not elected intothe family of God, we are born into the family of God (John 3:1-7). We are electedto a position of sanctification and service as we participate in the body lifein the family of God!
Doesthe sinner respond to God's grace against his own will? No, he responds becauseGod's grace makes him willing to respond (Ephesians 2:8-9). God only gives usthis grace when we humble ourselves under the condemnation of the Law and we acknowledgeand confess that we can only be saved by the death and resurrection of JesusChrist (Romans 10:10-13)! At the same time there is the mystery of divinesovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Bothare taught in the Bible (John 6:37). Both are true, and both are essential.Spurgeon said they are friends, and they walk hand in hand. I personally believestrongly in both!
Ilove how someone shared how that all three Persons in the Godhead are involvedin our salvation (see also 1 Peter 1:3-5). As far as God the Father isconcerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. Butthat alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were savedwhen He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, youwere saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Savior.What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continuefor all eternity!
Oh,my friend, how wonderful it is to know that we have been chosen in Christbefore the foundation of the world, not to be saved, but “to be holyand without blame before Him in love”. We are a special people. We have a greatblessing. We are “chosen in Him”.
Godbless!
