Chosen Before Time Began
Chosen Before Time Began
Tuesday
"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace." — Ephesians 1:4-6 (ESV)
Before the first star was hung in space, before the mountains rose from the deep, before Adam drew his first breath, God set His love upon you. This is the staggering reality of divine election: God's choice of you did not begin when you chose Him. It began in eternity past, in the council chambers of the Trinity, when the Father looked down the corridors of time and determined that you would be His child.
The doctrine of election is not meant to fuel speculation about who is saved and who is not. It is meant to fuel worship and assurance. Consider this: if your salvation depended entirely on your decision, it could be undone by another decision. If your standing with God rested solely on your performance, it would crumble under your failures. But because your salvation began with God's eternal choice, it is as secure as God Himself. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
Notice the purpose of election: "that we should be holy and blameless before him." God didn't choose you because you were holy; He chose you so that you would become holy. Election is not a reward for goodness but a guarantee of transformation. And notice that it flows from love: "In love he predestined us." Divine election is not cold determinism; it is the warm embrace of a Father who wanted you as His own.
The goal of it all is adoption. In Roman culture, an adopted child had every legal right of a natural-born child. All previous debts were cancelled. All former obligations erased. The adopted child became a new person with a new identity and inheritance. You are not a servant in God's household; you are a child at His table. You bear His name. You share His inheritance. You have access to the Father anytime, anywhere.
The doctrine of election is not meant to fuel speculation about who is saved and who is not. It is meant to fuel worship and assurance. Consider this: if your salvation depended entirely on your decision, it could be undone by another decision. If your standing with God rested solely on your performance, it would crumble under your failures. But because your salvation began with God's eternal choice, it is as secure as God Himself. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
Notice the purpose of election: "that we should be holy and blameless before him." God didn't choose you because you were holy; He chose you so that you would become holy. Election is not a reward for goodness but a guarantee of transformation. And notice that it flows from love: "In love he predestined us." Divine election is not cold determinism; it is the warm embrace of a Father who wanted you as His own.
The goal of it all is adoption. In Roman culture, an adopted child had every legal right of a natural-born child. All previous debts were cancelled. All former obligations erased. The adopted child became a new person with a new identity and inheritance. You are not a servant in God's household; you are a child at His table. You bear His name. You share His inheritance. You have access to the Father anytime, anywhere.
1. How does knowing you were chosen before the foundation of the world affect your sense of security in Christ?
2. What does it mean to you personally that God chose you not because you were lovable but because He is love?
3. How should the reality of your adoption change the way you approach God in prayer today?
2. What does it mean to you personally that God chose you not because you were lovable but because He is love?
3. How should the reality of your adoption change the way you approach God in prayer today?
Father, I am overwhelmed that You chose me before the world began—not because I deserved it, but because of Your great love. Thank You for adopting me into Your family through Jesus Christ. Help me live today as Your beloved child, secure in Your love, pursuing the holiness to which You have called me. To the praise of Your glorious grace, Amen.
No Comments