Order: In Ephesians 2:1-10, we read the order of salvation from our perspective—being dead in sin, becoming alive, developing faith by the Spirit, doing good works. Here, in Ephesians 1:1-14, however, we read the order of salvation from God’s perspective—choosing, redeeming by the blood of Christ, forgiving, adopting, keeping safe forever, being brought into glory. Why does the order matter?
Chosen: Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” [1] Here, Paul makes it clear that God chooses us before the foundation of the world. But what does that mean?
Non-Meaning: First, it does not mean that we don’t have free will. We choose what we want. Yet the Bible teaches us that we are incapable of wanting God; apart from Christ, we are at “enmity” against Him. [2] Second, it also does not mean that we lose any incentive to do good because, in Christ, our incentive to live out the gospel is rooted in love, not fear. What, then, does it mean?
Implication: Tim Keller says, “As long as you make your choice the ultimate reason for your faith, then the real bottom line is that you’re better—more open, more humble. That goes against everything Scripture teaches. As Paul says, ‘By the grace of God, I am what I am.’ [3] This is the doctrine of election. You cannot make yourself a Christian; you did not make yourself a Christian. You can’t even want to be a Christian unless God has opened your heart. Therefore, pride and superiority are excluded.” He continues, “When you realize that His choice is ultimate and your choice is penultimate, then when someone asks you whether you’re a Christian, you can say, ‘Yes, it’s astonishing. It’s amazing. It’s almost a joke. Why me? But it’s true.’”
Prayer: Lord, The doctrine of the your sovereignty in election, the doctrine of the ultimacy of your choice, the doctrine of the absolute sheer graciousness of your love means that we will always have a sense of humor about ourselves. There’s no reason in us that we would ever want you. But we do. For you have given us grace beyond grace and love beyond love. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment