God-Given Blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
God-Given Task (Ephesians 1:4)
Who was chosen?
When are they chosen?
Why are they chosen?
If you ever played sports on a playground as a kid, you know the way team selection often works on children’s playgrounds. Two kids get selected as team captains, and then all the other kids line up in front of them, and those two kids take turns choose who they want on their team.
Is this how it worked on playgrounds when you were a kid? Did you ever get chosen first? Do you remember how great that felt? Did you ever get chosen last? Do you remember how bad that felt?
When I was growing up, I wasn’t the most athletic kid in the playground, but I also wasn’t the most unathletic. This means that while I almost never got chosen first, there was never a time that I got chosen last. I very clearly remember being so grateful for that. There was this kid named Michael in my class who almost always got chosen last. He was pigeon toed and had big, thick glasses, and was super uncoordinated. And I remember watching him, eyes downcast, staring at his feet, pushing dirt around with the toe of his shoe, and then finally, when everyone else had been picked, the team that got stuck with him said, “Ok, fine. I guess Michael’s on our team.” And all the team members groaned.
I remember being so glad I was not Michael.
It feels good to be chosen. It feels bad to never be chosen, or to be chosen last.
Today, we are going to talk about election, which is a fancy, theological word for “chosen,” and we are going to talk about how God chooses people to be on His team, and how you can make sure that when it comes to being chosen to play on God’s team, you can make sure that you are chosen first. Not last; not in the middle, but first. Our team captain is Jesus, and He wants to choose you first. We’ll see how that happens today.
As we gear up for this, I want to make sure I state right from the start that I believe in election and predestination. It is a Biblical truth that cannot be ignored or refuted. However, I want to say right from the beginning that I also believe that the two most common theological systems in regard to election and predestination are both wrong. These two systems are most often known as Calvinism and Arminianism. Calvinism is named after the Reformer John Calvin, and Arminianism is named after the Reformer James Arminius. Most people believe that you have to be one or the other, a Calvinist or an Arminian. But having carefully studied both, I am proud to say I am neither. I’m not even a mixture of the two—a Calminian, as some like to say. What I am, I don’t have a name for—other than Christian— and I know of many out there who believe just as I do regarding this issue.[1]
Most people think the whole debate between Calvinism and Arminianism revolves only around the issue of election and predestination. There is a lot more to it than that. For many years I was a 5-point hyper-Calvinist, and I would love to share with you what I have learned since then. But we do not have space here.
Ephesians 1:3-14 are all one long sentence in the Greek. So really, it should all be looked at in one piece. But our western, English-speaking minds have trouble grasping such a long sentence, so the translators of our Bibles have split it up into more manageable sections. Overall, the flow of this sentence is that we have spiritual riches from God the Father (Ephesians 1:4-6), from the Son (Ephesians 1:7-12) and from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Our God-Given Blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:3 is a summary of chapters 1, 2 and 3. It is kind of the thesis sentence. Paul begins with praise to God for these spiritual blessings. And Paul tells us where these blessings are – in the heavenly realms. These are not earthly treasures which moths and rust destroy and which thieves break in and steal; these are real, everlasting heavenly blessings.
Remember several years ago when clothes and appliances and tools all had the “Made in America” stickers on them? Supposedly, they were better made and more durable than foreign made products. I suppose that could be debated, but Paul’s point here is that these blessings we have are stamped with a seal that says “Made in Heaven.” These will last.
Notice also the key term “In Christ.” We are blessed because we are in Christ. Let me share with you briefly some of what this term implies – because it effects how we understand the rest of the text. First, no one is “in Christ” who is not a believer. Only believers are “in Christ.”
Secondly, being in Christ is something that happens to us only when we place faith in Christ for eternal life. No one is in Christ before they are saved. Being in Christ is what gives believers their blessings and privileges that the rest of the world does not have. Everything we have as Christians, we have because we are in Christ. Verse 4 tells us the very first blessing we have in Christ. The first blessing is…
Our God-Given Task (Ephesians 1:4)
Ephesians 1:4. just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
This is a key verse in the Calvinism/Arminianism debate in regard to election.[2] Some notice that the term election in not even in this verse. In fact, the word election is not found in the entire letter of Ephesians. But since “to elect” simply means “to choose,” I believe we can take this passage as a key text on election and predestination, because the term “he chose us” is found in this verse.
Since being chosen is in view, there are three questions we can ask which will help us understand the text – and all texts similar to it. First, who is chosen, and second when are they chosen, and third, why are they chosen? Let’s answer them one by one.
1. Who is chosen?
The text says he chose us in Him. The phrase “in Him” tells us that this blessing of being chosen is something that we have in Christ. Christ is the first chosen person. Christ is the choice servant of God (cf. Luke 9:35; 23:35; 1 Peter 2:4, 6).
Most people teach that election and the choice of God has to do with God deciding which unsaved sinners He wants for Himself. But right away, we see problems with this, for Christ is the first chosen one, and He was not an unsaved sinner. Whether or not it is true that God chooses to save some unsaved sinners, we see already that, at least with Jesus, the choice or election of God is not always of unsaved sinners to salvation. God’s first choice was Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:4 shows us furthermore that when God chose Christ, He also chose us. Whom does the “us” refer to? From Ephesians 1:1-2, they refer to Paul and the believers to whom he was writing. In verse 3 the word “us” refers to those who are blessed in the heavenly realms. In verses 6, 7 and 8, “us” refers to those who have received the riches of God’s grace. So whom does the “us” refer to? It cannot refer to anybody but those who are already Christians.
So here we see exactly the same thing we saw with Christ. Christ is the eternally begotten Son of God, and God chose Him for a special task. But in choosing Christ, God also chose those who are in Christ—in other words, Christians. This verse does not teach that God chose unregenerate people to become Christians. This verse teaches that God chose Christians.
Sometimes, in trying to understand a verse like this, it helps to look at what it is not said. If, as many teach, God chose those whom He would save, and either passed over the rest (single predestination) or actively chose to send the rest to hell (double predestination), then this verse should say “He chose us to be in Him.” If God chooses some of the unregenerate to be regenerate, then this verse should say that God chose us to be in Him. But that is not what it says. It says, “He chose us in Him” not “He chose us to be in Him.” Whatever this choice is, it was done when we are already in Christ. Christ and Christians are the chosen ones, but the emphasis is on Christ.
Jesus ultimately is the chosen one, and by nature of being in Christ, we were chosen because He is chosen.
The only individual chosen in Ephesians 1:4 is Christ. When we place faith in Christ, we are placed “in Him” and so become chosen in Him because He is chosen. In other words, Christians are elect because we are in Christ and He is elect. Only those who are in Christ can be referred to as elect or the chosen in Christ.[3]
God’s choice of Israel in Abraham is revealing, though not exactly parallel. Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of the elect nation Israel. Because all Israel was in Abraham’s loins and would come from Abraham’s seed, they too were chosen by default because he was chosen, and they were in Abraham at the time he was chosen.
But while Abraham was chosen at a point in time, Paul goes on in verse 4 to state when Jesus Christ was chosen. This is the next question we want to ask the text to help us understand what election is.
2. When Did the Choice Occur?
The next phrase in Ephesians 1:4 is before the foundation of the world. Since the primary chosen one is Christ, the primary focus of this phrase is also Christ. It is Christ who was chosen before the foundation of the world.
This means that before the world was ever created, Jesus Christ was chosen, and by inference, all who would eventually be placed “in Christ” by faith in Him were therefore also chosen. So this choice took place in eternity past, before the foundation of the world.
This then leads to the third question about election, which is the most important of all.
3. Why Were They Chosen?
This is the missing piece of the puzzle that fits everything together. If you’ve ever been confused about election – here is the key. The question we are asking now is: “Why did God choose all those who have placed faith in Christ?”
He chose them, according to the end of Ephesians 1:4, so that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. This is a task believers are to strive for and a future that God guarantees.
Notice that there is nothing in this verse about God choosing some to receive eternal life, while leaving all others to be damned—as the Calvinists teach. Neither is there anything about God looking ahead in time to see who would believe in Him for eternal life and then choosing them—as the Arminians teach. There is nothing of either teaching here. Paul says first, that those who are chosen are those who are in Christ. In other words, only believers are chosen, and they are not chosen to receive eternal life—they are chosen to fulfill a task or purpose. As Paul describes it here, they are chosen to be holy and blameless!
Let me state it more bluntly. Election is never to eternal life. God chooses certain individuals for a task, not for eternal life.
The people of Israel are the perfect example. God chose Abraham, and in choosing Abraham, God also chose all the people who could come from Abraham, namely, all the people of Israel.
So let me ask you, were all Israelites the chosen people of God? Yes, they were. But did all Israelites have eternal life? No, they did not. So you see that even with the people of Israel, election does not mean that God decides to give eternal life to some people. All Israel was elect, but not all Israelites had eternal life. What this means is that election has nothing to do with who has eternal life and who does not, and everything to do with God’s choice of certain people and nations to perform certain tasks and purposes in He plan for the world.
Judas is the perfect example. Did you know that Judas was chosen (John 6:70)? But most believe that Judas did not have eternal life. Therefore, how can we say that Judas is chosen? We must say that he was chosen, not to eternal life, but to fulfil a certain purpose or task. And that makes perfect sense with what we see Judas do in the Gospels.
Both Abraham’s election and Christ’s election and all those who were in Abraham and all those who are in Christ are chosen, not to salvation, but to a task.
Now, here is one distinction I want to make. While not everybody is chosen by God, that is, while not everybody has a specific task within God’s plan and purpose for the world, all Christians have been “chosen” in Christ. This is Paul’s point here in Ephesians 1:4. Though not everybody is chosen, all believers are chosen, because we are in Christ, and He is the chosen one.
The first three chapters of Ephesians are all about the blessings and privileges we have as members of the family of God. And as I indicated already, Ephesians 1:4 is the introductory summary statement of all these blessings and privileges. Paul states that source of these blessings and privileges is found in the fact that we are in Christ, and since Christ is the ultimate “Chosen One,” we who are in Christ are also therefore chosen in Him. Jesus Christ has the most important role and responsibility in God’s plan and purposes for this world, and since you and I are in Jesus, we get to participate with Jesus in that plan and purpose. This is what it means to be chosen in Him.
God’s choice has nothing do with who will go to heaven and who will be sent to hell, of who has eternal life and who does not. His choice in Ephesians 1:4 and He chooses them to perform tasks while we are here on earth. God chooses Christian men and women to perform a task. A study of God’s choosing and election throughout Scripture will reveal the same truth. God does choose. He does elect. But never to eternal life or eternal death; He chooses groups or individuals for certain tasks.
This also makes sense of His choice of Abraham and the Israelites, his choice of King Cyrus, His choice of the twelve apostles including Judas, and His choice of Christians. Some of those He chooses do have eternal life, but some of them will never have eternal life. Of course, all who have eternal life are also chosen. And all who are chosen, or chosen to perform a task in God’s plan and purpose for this world.
With this view, even unregenerate people, like Pharaoh, Cyrus, Judas, and the Jewish people can be chosen, even if they never received eternal life.
The question left though, is “How do we receive eternal life?” If God does not elect certain ones to receive eternal life, and if all who have eternal life, are also the ones who get chosen by God to perform certain tasks, how does one receive eternal life? If God doesn’t choose who has eternal life and who does not, how then do we receive it?
Well, as Scripture reveals all over the place, we receive eternal life by believing in Jesus for it.
What this means is that if you want to be chosen, if you want to picked, if you want to be on God’s team so that you can play in the game of life and accomplish God’s plan and purposes for this world, you do not have to wonder whether or not God has chosen you. If you believe in Jesus for eternal life, then you are chosen. All who are in Christ are also elect in Christ. So if you want to be elect, if you want to be chosen, then all you need to do is be in Christ, and this accomplished by the Holy Spirit when we believe in Jesus for eternal life.
It is a wonderful blessing to be chosen by God for a task. It reveals to us that we are special to God and that He wants us on his team. If you have ever followed the NFL draft, you know that NFL teams draft members onto their team who will fill in the holes, or replace members who have retired or moved to other teams. If their quarterback has been getting sacked a lot, and they need to beef up their offensive line, they will draft big, strong linemen. If their passing game is not that good, they will draft a wide receiver. If other teams are able to run the ball a lot against them, they will draft some good defensive players. And in such drafts, there are always first round picks, second round picks and so on. The teams try to pick what they need the most.
Guess what? God too has a team, and it is going to win the Super Bowl, and you are on that team to fulfill a specific purpose. He has chosen you, drafted you, for a certain task. You are a first-round draft pick. If you listen to Him, and go to training camp, and work out with the team, and attend practice, you might even be in the starting line up.
Do you know why you are on His team? Do you know what special abilities and talents you have which make you special? When you discover and use them, life will become significant and meaningful. This is the task you were chosen for. This is the role you were meant to fulfill.
Jesus is our team captain. He was chosen to be the team captain before the foundation of the world. But all who are in Jesus Christ by faith in Him, were also chosen to play on God’s team, and this choice also happened before the foundation of the world.
This means that if you are a believer in Jesus for eternal life, you too were chosen in Jesus before the foundation of the world. You too were chosen first. This means that you are the star player on the team. You are the one with the special skills and abilities. You are the one who will help us win the game. The rest of Ephesians explains how you will do this.
The rest of Ephesians explains what your roles are, and what tools God has given you to perform these tasks. Please join us so you can know what God has given you and what he want you to do.
NOTES:
[1] For more reading on this subject try: The Other Side of Calvinism by Laurence Vance, Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism by C. Gordon Olson, The Dark Side of Calvinism by George Bryson, Calvinistic Paths Retraced by Samuel Fisk, Election and Predestination by Samuel Fisk, and God’s Strategy in Human History by Paul Marston and Roger Forster.
[2] Vance, The Other Side of Calvinism, 357.
[3] Olson, Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism, 188.
It’s amazing to me that we have both reached the same conclusion about this , arriving at the same place from two completely different beginnings. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks, Michael. Any good resources that helped you come to your conclusions?
Very good Jeremy Myers…very good. Thank you for researching and studying this.
I found your website this week and have been enjoying reading your many posts on election. I have been studying it with an obsession since I first heard of the subject 5 months ago. I had arrived at essentially the same conclusions you state after accumulating 26 pages of typed notes. I was beginning to feel as rare as a unicorn in my church since no one else seems to agree with me. I am glad to find a fellow unicorn.
I have run into two objections to my interpretation of election that I have not been able to address nor have I found any writings of your on these specific points. I am interested in your thoughts.
Objection 1: We were (spiritually) dead in our trespasses and sins according to Ephisians 2:1-5. My objectors say that dead people can’t do anything including saving ourselves or even accepting the gift of salvation therefore it must be God’s active choice to decide who he will save and who he will not save.
Objection 2: We are blinded to the gospel according to 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 therefore we need God to lift the veil so we can see the truth and accept Jesus. Objectors state this is further proof that God has to actively decide who to save by lifting the veil.
Thanks for the feedback.
These are my questions, as well… also Paul’s conversion in which Jesus revealed Himself to him despite His every act of clear disbelief, and the verses in which Paul talks about vessels for wrath and vessels for glory. Just curious about these! as I believe that God is sovereign and does His will, yet the bible does talk clearly about the responsibility of man and that no one is without excuse. Ultimately I am satisfied knowing that He is the creator of me and all things, and that He purposed it all for His own glory! thank you for any info
Hello, I too have been researching election and it has certainly ruffled a few feathers within my church!
Mankind is without excuse.
On pointing this out to some friends who are non believers, eg. naming something they can see within their home or workplace that has not been designed or made, which of course they couldn’t, then applying the same logic to nature. Their minds refuse to contemplate the possibility of a creator God. A sinful, unrepentant mind cannot see, hear or accept simple logic. Only God allows us to see and hear! No where in scripture does man choose God. Always, God chooses man!
God bless,
Tony
<3
Ha! This may be the shortest comment I have ever received on this blog. I <3 it!
Love your stuff! Keep it coming……..
Thanks for reading!
Jeremy– this is an excellent article. Many of these issues you have expressed I have been working through myself in my own study and thinking. Your blog encouraged and clarified because I am still working through these issues. I tell others that I am neither Calvinistic or “Arminianistic” but biblical. Hope that does not sound too prideful because it meant to be honest.
It doesn’t sound prideful. I tend to say similar things myself. Of course, both Calvinists and Arminians also say they are “biblical.”
i have a sincere quest ion i am not trying to be critical in any way do you believe there is a hierrchy in the Godhead??
A hierarchy? No, probably not as we think of it. There might be some sort of functional subordination (in role, but not in personhood or divinity), but since the Trinity itself is such a difficult doctrine to grasp, all relationships between the members of the Trinity are equally difficult to comprehend.
What are your thoughts?
I was led here while reading Ephesians today. My thoughts were that – as I read 3 -14 in its entirety, as was the original Greek, it seemed to me to say that perhaps Paul was saying that He and the other apostles and early followers were predestined, but that the Ephesians (and all others from then to now) became saved upon believing. I have always had a difficult time with Calvinism. I thought I would find an article that might confirm my statement above, but instead came across yours, which I must admit is a much more thought out explanation than mine. Thanks for your ministry.
Thanks, Robert. Glad you found the article helpful and are able to use it in your own teaching.
This has helped me tremendously. I have been conflicted over this issue for years. As a woman and mother to three children I struggle believing that Calvinism could possibly be true. How could I ever consider having children if they may be damned to hell? What a horrible thing for me to do to someone.
Praise God, I came across your article. This is a great help to my Christian life, because your article gives light to this topic. God truly is gracious and just.
Jeremy, I’m a little late to the party here…I may need to re-read your article, but I’m having a hard time considering Christ, as a completely divine 1/3 of the Godhead, being “chosen”, in any sense of the word…?…I am neither Calvinist or Arminian…
I think with respect that your explanation attractive as it is, falls into a logic trap as regards being chosen by God for a future role. Let me start with a sentence of near Pauline length.
If what you interpret Paul as saying is that before creating all the myriad galaxies and star systems God decided that They would put some humans on the third planet from an insignificant star on a little arm of a middling galaxy and that the first hominids chosen role would be to perform pretty much to spec and do something silly and rebellious ( arguably without sufficient information as to consequences for themselves and their off spring , oh, and for serpents ) and cause affront to the tripartite godhead warranting separation of Gods grace from all their offspring ;then we are left with people being chosen from way back before the Big Bang to do some terrible things like killing babies or betraying Jesus who was chosen on the same non date ( time didn’t exist before creation)to die in a fairly nasty fashion and thereby appease the righteous wrath of himself and his fellow Trinitarians by paying a penalty as a substitute for all future sins (of believers?)
If that is a fair statement, where does it leave Phaeroh, who not only was chosen from all time to persecute Hebrews but had to have some additional heart-hardening work done by God to stop him caving in after the angelic hitman had plagued his kingdom and slaughtered all the eldest kids ?
And what about Judas, locked in for all time to a pathetic act of unnecessary identification of a very well known Jesus to the High priests police? The whole plan to torture and kill Gods only begotten Son ( and one third of the godhead ) would have gone down the drain if Judas had suddenly thought to himself ” Hey, Jude . Don’t make it bad….” Not a lot of choice there , was there ?
So even before you start to quibble about ” by Christ” or “in Christ” or how some people being saved not by anything they do while others are not and how damnation by default slips around Augustines or Calvins problems you seem stuck with the trap of people being chosen from before creation to do something or other . Perhaps the whole mess is Gods will and your optimism and my profound confusion are all part of that ?
Cheers.
Predestination, as I see it, means he planned ahead of time for all to be saved (if they choose to) because Jesus died for all the Bible says but many choose the world. Why people think they can get saved and still sin is beyond me! What a spit in Christ’s face. If that were true then his torture and death was for nothing. Shaking my head. I can never go out and sin after Christ cleaned me up. I make mistakes but I don’t believe this once saved always saved. You walk away from Christ and turn your back on him and head right back to doing the worldly stuff and think you are pleasing Christ when he allowed himself to be crusified and shed his innocent blood to cure you of the curse you were born into and this is ok? No, it is a mockery to his sacrafice.
Thank you very much for brief explanation for the Verses of Eph 1:4 . I got a good Knowledge. But I do have one questions. How can you relates Ones saved forever saved from the the concept of election. Because i haired some preacher are stated that ones a believer is saved forever saved. he can not lose his salivation what ever sin he might commit except the denying of the Lord ship of Jesus Christ. please I want more clarification concerning to this concept. Thank u very much for giving me your consideration.
Many thanks for this really helpful illumination of these thorny issues. It is always unsatisfactory when Christians are only offered one of two such extreme explanations for matters such as election & predestination. Scripture always comes to the rescue when we allow it to be applied properly to our lives, our thoughts & our intentions. It also shifts the focus more uncomfortably for us all on to what extent we are living up to the small print on our calling as Christians.
man this is awesome. so balanced. Thank you!
Hi. I really enjoyed this article. It is thoughtful and well written.
One question I have is that near the end you state: “God does choose. He does elect. But never to eternal life or eternal death; He chooses groups or individuals for certain tasks.”
How, then, do you understand 2 Thes. 2:13?
Best,
Ryan
I loved this post! One question- your statement of beliefs says you believe people can not lose their salvation, yet in this post you clearly talk about being “in Christ”… How do you interpret Jesus’ words when He said those “in Him” that do not bear fruit will be “cut off and thrown into the fire”. I take that as they loose their salvation- can a person not be in Jesus (because He cut them off) and still go to Heaven?
What a clear explanation of Ephesians 1:4. Thank you for a great work.
Thank you for your post. I am a Christian and believed strictly in the word of God. I do not like labels attached to my faith based on the founder of any movements. For instance, Catholics, Seventh Day Adventist (Ellen G White), Reformed Calvinistic Church, or Mormonism. Recently, an acquaintance discussed about Calvinism and I was curious to know why thousands of people are following those churches and are legally in bondage. Today, many believers are terrified to approach Christ and are living with doubts as to their salvation under “Election” and “Predestination” misinterpretations. You have opened my eyes and pray that many will learn the truth which will set them free. Satan the master deceiver planted seeds of doubt in Adam & Eve and they lost the blessings of remaining in Paradise. They had to choose life with Christ Jesus (Tree of Life) or life with the evil one (Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil).
I agree with you. If God’s original plan was to have fellowship with mankind, and the sin of one man (Adam) caused a need for a Savior (Jesus), why would God bring a redemption that by default only allows some to have fellowship with Him? That makes no sense to me. If He gave His only son because He loves the world, then the world (ALL) have the opportunity to have relationship with Him. Of course, we knows that not all will accept this invitation, but all will have the opportunity to accept it. Why won’t all accept? For the same reason Adam and Eve sinned – because God gave us free will!
This is absolutely brilliant! I had to read it 5 times for it to sink in.
I would really like to read about your teaching on other subjects.
Thank you so much. I have been battling the heresy of Calvinism for over 35 years.
It has been so painful to hear their slander of God’s love for mankind.
For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. (John 6:44 NLT)
Thing is not so simple. God’s absolute sovereignty vs human’s free will is not an either or situation. Have you ever imagine that these two doctrines can co-exist by in a different dimension?
Blessed write-up!
But Jesus said if I be lifted up I will draw all men to myself.
Thanks for your insite . I’ve been fighting the Calvinist doctrine for years from Romans . Your arguments will be useful at our Bible study this week in Ephesians. In Christ alone . I can’t save myself but I can say yes to Christ then he does all the work . It is finished . Frank
I’m sorry sir but your statements are misleading…
The Bible says in Eph. 1:4 we are chosen before the foundation of the world which means, in His own pleasure and will, He chose us( not all mankind but His own children which He knew and determined even long before we came into being…before the earth was made, before He made man and most probably everything that we know existing today…we have no part or participation to be chosen, we have no idea, no anything, we didn’t exist yet…but God already chose us, His predetermined children already til our time have come when He starts calling us and quicken us spiritually because we were spiritually dead. By the time we.were awaken.and recognized His calling ” My sheep recognise my voice and follow me” …
To be continued…
He chose us in him does not necessarily include Jesus being chosen first. He is merely the receptacle, in this case–the trustee–in which the chosen reside.
I have been asked to lead a house group at 90!!! I was suckered.
I decided on Ephesians a letter that l have always enjoyed it never really knew it, and l believe the first session demonstrated that.
So l have felt a little despondent.
Searching the internet l came across your thoughts on our next session on predestination and election, my heart rose, it was so clear and with respect very understandable for me and l am confident our group, who number 19 and quite mature 50 onwards.
So l am approaching the next meeting more confident, l will not pretend it comes from me!
“He chose us IN CHRIST before the foundation of the world.” So, who God chose was those who were in Christ. Who was in Christ before the foundation of the world? EVERYONE! All mankind. Before the foundation of the world, there were no sinners who needed to be saved. There were no elect and non-elect. What was in the heart, mind, and plan of God was Christ. And what was in Christ was all mankind. This is what was created when God said, Let us make man in our image and after our likeness. Before the fall, there was all mankind in Adam who were in the image and likeness of God, and all were blessed to be fruitful. All were given dominion. There were no sinners, nor elect, nor non-elect.
And we weren’t chosen to be saved, we (all in Christ) were chosen to be holy and without blemish before Him in love. We weren’t predestinated to be saved while others were predestinated for the lake of fire. We were predestinated unto the sonship. God’s intent was that we, in Christ, would be His sons, in His image and likeness, and as mature sons, exercising dominion. I think we need to rethink Calvinism.
“God’s choice has nothing do with who will go to heaven and who will be sent to hell, of who has eternal life and who does not. His choice in Ephesians 1:4 and He chooses them to perform tasks while we are here on earth. God chooses Christian men and women to perform a task. A study of God’s choosing and election throughout Scripture will reveal the same truth. God does choose. He does elect. But never to eternal life or eternal death; He chooses groups or individuals for certain tasks.”
Jeremy, your above statement is confusing. You said that those who believe in Jesus have eternal life and also that they are the ones chosen. Yet, in conclusion, you said that they are never chosen for eternal life or death. Please let me know whether this an error on your part.
I have been reflecting on the logic of your explanation of election and i want to agree with the point that when we come into Christ then we are elected.
However the point that I do not get clear is that we are not chosen for eternal life. I believe when we believe with our heart and we confess with our mouth we become co-heirs with Christ with the benefit of eternal life starting on earth and into heaven. I need some clarity on the stage at which a person gains eternal life if my point of view is wrong