Transformed in Christ: The Nature of Predestination (Ephesians - Part 5)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today let us look into the profound message laid out in Pastor Sam's recent sermon, "The Nature and Purpose of Election in Christ," part of the "TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST" series. Drawing from Ephesians 1:4-6, Pastor Sam masterfully unpacks the glorious doctrine of election, reminding us of God's eternal purposes for His people.

Pastor Sam begins by guiding us into "The Nature of Election" itself. He wisely cautions us to embrace the great mystery inherent in this doctrine. When we consider that God chose us "before the foundation of the world," and that His purposes are eternal and secret, we are immediately confronted with the reality that "God is God and we are not". As Deuteronomy reminds us, "the secret things belong to… God". This humble admission of mystery is foundational to understanding.

Yet, while affirming mystery, Pastor Sam swiftly moves to affirm the clear attributes of God beautifully displayed in this election. We learn that God is perfectly loving, for Paul tells us, "in love He predestined us". This choice, made before creation, stems solely from God's free decision and love, utterly independent of any human merit or temporal circumstance. What a comforting truth!

Furthermore, Pastor Sam's sermon illuminates God as eternally sovereign. The language woven throughout Ephesians 1 - "predestination," "favor," "good pleasure," "will," "administration," and "purpose" - all underscore God's ultimate control over all things. His election is a pure expression of His absolute control, a testament to the truth that "God can do whatever He pleases, and whatever He does is always consistent with who He is".

Our God is also revealed as gloriously gracious. Pastor Sam reminds us that God's choice in Christ was made in eternity, before time and creation, signifying His amazing grace. We were not chosen for anything good within ourselves; rather, God’s reasons were rooted in the depths of His gracious, sovereign nature. Indeed, 2 Timothy 1:9 declares that God "saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began". This brings immense assurance that God's purposes for us are of the highest good, eliciting a response of praise from those chosen.

Finally, in this exploration of God's attributes in election, Pastor Sam points to His infinite wisdom. God's choosing is an expression of His profound, unsearchable wisdom.

A crucial point emphasized by Pastor Sam is that election is always and only "in Christ". He is "the Chosen One par excellence," the very foundation, origin, and executor of all that is involved in election and its blessed fruits. We are chosen not for any inherent goodness in us, but because God chose to unite us with Christ.

Then, Pastor Sam’s sermon steers us toward the necessity of personal belief in the gospel. Though the doctrine of election speaks of God's eternal activity, it does not negate human responsibility. He directs our attention to Ephesians 1:13, where it clearly states that one must "hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believe in him". This intimate connection between election and faith is a divine tapestry that only God could weave, a mystery we are called to fully embrace, just as we embrace the deity and humanity of Christ or the divine-human authorship of Scripture.

This leads us naturally to the vital role of evangelism. Pastor Sam powerfully states that election does not diminish the need to share Jesus; rather, "Election gives hope to evangelism". He recounts the story of Paul's discouragement in Corinth, where Jesus encouraged him to keep speaking, saying, "I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9–10). This truth means that some people will believe when we proclaim the gospel, not because of our eloquence, but because of the power of God. We should fear no one and assume God has placed us where we are to see others come to Christ through our faithful witness. Pastor Sam highlights Paul's own example, noting that even amidst detailed discussions of election in Romans 9-11, Paul dedicates a chapter (Romans 10) to the absolute necessity of evangelism for salvation, driven by a deep love for lost people.

Having understood the nature of election, Pastor Sam then calls us to consider the proper response to such a truth: humility. Citing 1 Corinthians 1:27-30, he explains that God chose the foolish, weak, low, and despised things of the world so that no one might boast. The right response to being chosen for salvation is awe, worship, and obedience, never pride or arrogance. Pastor Sam warns that those who embrace this doctrine but walk in pride have misunderstood its essence; it should instead "put us on our faces in worship to the sovereign, wise, loving, gracious, and mysterious God, who has chosen us in Christ".

Moving deeper, Pastor Sam turns our attention to "The Goal of Election - Chosen for a Purpose".

The primary goal for which God chose His people in Christ is "that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love". Election, while bringing privilege, also carries profound responsibility. God's divine purpose was not merely to repair the damage of sin, but to fulfill His original intention for humanity: to create a people perfectly conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29-30). This intent, that we should be holy and blameless, further underscores God's grace, for when He chose us, we were unholy and blameworthy, deserving judgment rather than adoption.

Pastor Sam explains that being "holy and blameless in his sight" echoes the language of Colossians 1:22, referring to Christ's reconciling work. These terms were used for unblemished Old Testament sacrifices. We are positionally holy only in Christ; our blame is removed, and His righteousness is given to us, allowing us to stand before God as holy. This positional holiness then leads to the practical pursuit of holiness in our daily lives. "Holy" means difference and separation, not from the world, but as a difference expressed in the world. "Blameless," amomos (ἄμωμος), is a sacrificial term meaning "unblemished," calling us to present our whole lives as a living offering to God, as Paul exhorts in Romans 12:1. There is no room for complacency; to be Christian is to be holy and to make our entire lives an offering.

Pastor Sam also takes a moment to shed light on the phrase "in the heavenly places," used five times exclusively in Ephesians. This is not merely a geographic location for God or where we go when we die. For Paul, it signifies "the realm of all unseen reality, good and evil". It represents humanity's invisible, spiritual environment, where both God and evil powers operate. Paul emphasizes this because his message centers on Christ's supremacy as the source of blessing in every realm, heaven and earth. The power of Christ is available to us as we battle evil, especially those spiritual forces in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Then, Pastor Sam delves into the second glorious goal of election: "Predestined us for adoption as sons by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:5). This is a "mini-theology of adoption".

• What it means: To be adopted means to receive all the rights and privileges of the Father's children. It's a compound word meaning "to place a son". Paul, familiar with the Roman context of adoption, uses this term to convey a privileged position. Pastor Sam compares this Roman privilege to the far greater blessing of being adopted by the glorious Father, enabling us to call Him "Abba". Adoption also has a horizontal aspect, creating a family of brothers and sisters in Christ, the church itself being a powerful apologetic.
• When it happened: This adoption was determined "before the foundation of the world".
• How it happens: It is "through Jesus Christ". Only in Christ do we receive these blessings, caught up in the Father's love for the Son. The term "predestine" emphasizes God's sole initiative and authority in our salvation. This adoption, once a particular privilege of Israel (Romans 9:4), now belongs to Christians.
• Why it happened: Finally, Pastor Sam emphasizes the "why" of adoption: "according to His favor and will". It simply pleased God to do so, to His delight. And ultimately, it was "to the praise of His glorious grace". Adoption profoundly magnifies the greatness of God the Father. This aligns with the old catechism's definition of man's chief end: to praise and enjoy God forever. Pastor Sam encourages us not to torture ourselves over negative aspects of predestination like hell, but to focus on the triumphant glory of the redeemed, knowing that Christ's salvation is available to all.

Pastor Sam’s sermon powerfully reminds us that God's purpose in making us "holy" and adopting us as His children also means we have been chosen for a mission. As God’s children, we are to "take on the family business," carrying out God's mission, imitating Him as beloved children. Election is indeed an incredible privilege, but it inextricably links us to the responsibility of making Christ known in both word and deed. What a blessed calling, dear friends, to be chosen, transformed, and sent for His glorious praise!