Essays in Ephesians #2 (chap 1:4-6)
Ephesians 1: 4 – 6
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved,
God chose us! He chose us. Have you experienced being NOT chosen? Not chosen for the team? The committee? The job? The club? The promotion? Being not chosen can be a bit discomforting and stir up feelings of not being good enough, or liked enough, or qualified enough. If our identity is wrapped up in being chosen, it can stop us for a season.
Unless the choice is for a dirty job, like cleaning latrines, being chosen feels good. It feels like we’re wanted. That makes it especially affirming to hear that the Creator of the universe chose us before the foundation of the world.
And what did He choose us for? Not for any cleanup crew, but for a holy, blameless relationship with Himself. He chose to adopt us as His children. He chose us to receive His love, His glorious grace.
It moves me to praise and thanksgiving; to repeat Paul’s word back to God in gratitude.
Thank You, Father God. For choosing us to be holy and blameless before You. Thank You for loving us. Thank you for adopting us. Thank You for Your purposes, for Your will, for Your plan, for Your blessing us in Christ Jesus. Before the earth began You thought of us. Amazing.
A living relationship with a loving God is mind-boggling. Here is what a few writers have said about it:
Isaiah wrote,
The Lord who created you says, ” I have called you by name, you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1 TLB
Watchman Nee wrote,
Presenting myself to God implies a recognition that I am already His altogether.
Derek Prince wrote,
God’s family is the best family. There is no family quite equal to the family of God. Even if your own family did not care for you, your own father rejected you, your mother never had time for you, or your husband never showed you love, bear in mind that God wants you. You are accepted; you are highly favored; you are the object of His special care and affection. . . . Jesus’ last prayer with His disciples concerned our relationship with God as our Father and ended this way:
Righteous Father, through the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them. . .(John 17:25-26a NIV) How did Jesus make God known to us? As Father . . . Derek Prince, God’s Remedy for Rejection
When we know our Father and give voice to His prayers within our hearts, then
Whether great, whether small,
He answers my call.
He’s my God, and I’m His child, And He loves me.”
from the song, “One Thing I Asked of the Lord” by Ruth Heflin.
