There is power behind the words of the first chapter of Ephesians which truly define the miracle of salvation in Christ. While the chapter itself can be read in just minutes, the Christian doctrine which is within this chapter is pivotal and essential to understanding the gift of salvation as well as some more gifts delivered by Christ to those chosen by God. We start in the very first sentence, recognizing that it is by God’s Sovereign Will that those chosen by God are part of His purpose. The scripture, which is directly addressing the elect saints, says:
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus
The most transparent words of this scripture shows that Paul was chosen by the Will of God. The same can be said for the others who are addressed as saints in Paul’s writings of the New Testament. Moving on to verse 4, we see several things that Jesus delivered through His grace, which we had no part in asking for. He not only chose us, but He also accomplished the following actions, which were delivered to us through His Almighty grace.
Jesus’ Divine actions as revealed in Ephesians 1:4-10:
Jesus Christ:
Blessed us
Chose us
Predestined us
Made us Accepted
Made grace to abound toward us
Made known to us the mystery
Purposed
Gathered together in one all things in Christ
Ephesians 1:4-10 “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, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him”
What is interesting to note is that we could not obtain salvation apart from this complete delivering of gifts of Christ. There is a Divine process which fits together so perfectly that it proves to us just what a gift our salvation really is. It is the end result of all good things which He has purposed to happen for all of His chosen ones.
In verse 20, it is revealed that God worked these things through the resurrection of Jesus, placing Him as the head over all things (v. 24)
There exists nothing in the first chapter of Ephesians which states that these gifts of Christ were conditioned on whether man would receive through his own free will. Rather, this is delivered to us by the Will of God, which is largely different from a human making earthly choices. God delivers the gift, and we receive the gift. While it may appear that we make the choice to come to Christ, that choice must derive somewhere, and be Divinely planted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. As mere humans, we simply do not have such Holy inborn desire to choose God, apart from Him placing the desire within us.
Review this chapter closely to study the deliverance of this Godly love, and note Paul’s authority in offering this information to the church.
There is no question as to whether these permanent actions of Christ could be reversed. Scripture is very clear as to the unmistakable honor we have if we are chosen by God. Take a moment to underline the above actions in your own personal bible and absorb the amazing gifts we have received, as we take in the amazing power of God’s grace and salvation in Christ.