Ephesians 1:11-14
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Did Paul just go all Calvinist here? (Or did Calvin later go all Pauline for you chicken/egg types.) There is just something comforting about knowing that under every circumstance God is sovereign.
I read and re-read these verses, and I do not know the answer to all of life's questions. But I know that there is someone who does. In these verses I see a God who is in absolute control, a God who is worthy of all praise, a God who cannot be defeated. Whatever the path, He works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. And He does it for His glory. I am okay with that, because I certainly do not expect He would do it for my glory, me being a sinner and all. And that goes for humanity as a whole as well, seeing that we have all sinned and fall short of His glory.
To be God's possession is an amazing thought. Most humans do not desire to be the possession of someone else. Under slavery, people risked their lives in order to no longer be the possession of another. Yet there were those, who out or fear or loyalty gave up freedom to remain with their masters.
I think this goes back to Jesus thought that we cannot serve two masters. I notice that Jesus did not give a third option. Such as, "Option 3: You can not serve either one, but you can have absolute freedom!" Jesus knew in our sinful state that such an option did not exist. And to be honest, being God's possession does not exist without Jesus.
That is what I want to dwell on today, being God's possession. Just being able, through Christ, to not be thrown away as worthless, but to be clean and presentable before Him. God, the one who wonderfully controls it all. Now that is priceless.
5 comments:
When I think of God's will and the word "predestined" I think of Romans 8:29 and the idea that the will of God is that we be "conformed to the image of his Son". I love how he works all things to together to that end.
Good thoughts. I struggle with the idea of some of God just randomly picking some to be saved and others not. But I also struggle with the idea that some hold, that it is my faith that saves me, when the Bible states that the faith to believe is a gift from God. (Eph 2:8)
Perhaps someday we will know where the real answer lies, until then, I will continue to knock, ask, and seek.
I see faith more as saying a simple yes to the Holy Spirit. I think that all have the gift of faith but not all exercise it. God does the saving.. the gift is his.. we can take no credit in saying yes to His offer.. to think that saying yes is a work is really stretching the point.
I agree that "to think that saying yes is a work is really stretching the point." However, I do think there are those who take pride in their "Yes," and for those it is a problem.
Perhaps this is the issue the Galatians faced, as they began with faith and reverted to the law. Thanks for your insights.
Maybe the yes is only a yes when accompanied by humility?
Post a Comment