"To the Praise of His Glorious Grace"

“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. 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, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.” (Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV)

Before us are verses that often cause heated theological debates and rifts in fellowship. So strongly is the feeling about this doctrine that is defended by many as much as it is shunned. This doctrine is unconditional election.

These words are deep and must be examined carefully, as the first 14 verses of Ephesians essentially define God's whole purpose from the beginning of creation to the end, as well as that of His creation. Those who come to understand the meaning of these verses will celebrate the goodness, mercy, grace, and both the mind and reality of God in their lives. Paul is calling us, beckoning us into the eternal mind of God.

These first 14 verses lead the reader into the vast theology of our God. Paul gives us a view into the mind of the divine. Two very long sentences that reveal God’s intent and that all of His purpose in our salvation is His. We cannot influence what God has willed. This is the reason this doctrine is rejected. There is no human influence or decision, no action or imperative. If God has elected you, you will, at some point, come to Him.

God has blessed us with His Son, Christ Jesus. This blessing comes before the universe was created. Before time, meaning our time, humanity's time, God, in His infinite love, elected you as His child. Often taught incorrectly, this election was not due to clairvoyance or clarity, but to God's divine and loving decision. Again, this removes the influence of the one elected. The election is free and does not require any action on your part. Ask yourself, what comes first, grace or faith? We receive faith through the grace of God. You were elected to receive this grace at a time appointed by God. It is by His election that grace is received and faith becomes understanding.

Our blessing for this election comes through Jesus Christ. It is by His blood that we are made holy and blameless. All of this is completed by God’s will and for His purpose. This defines why you are elected; God willed it to be so. It also defines God’s glorious grace, which He bestowed on us. He blessed us in our election so that in the purpose of our election, He is praised for His glorious grace. It is all for the praise and glorification of God.

Paul goes on to lead us further into the mind of God, showing that He not only proclaims but also affirms our election, our redemption, and our forgiveness, all gifts of God's grace. Not only is it our salvation that is gifted to us, but also, through the Holy Spirit, we are given wisdom and insight that open the eyes of our hearts to the intentions of God’s grace in uniting us through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the consummation of His completed plan of redemption and unification of creation in Jesus.

Paul tells us that all of this is done “to the praise of his glorious grace.” What is praise? In Matthew 15:8, Jesus said, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Praise is not just prayer, or singing, or showing up at church to “worship.” You ask your AI friend, be it ChatGPT or whatever, to write you a prayer based on praise, and it will return a beautiful prayer full of doctrine and reason for praise. When you pray this prayer, is it praise? No, it is not. Ultimately, praise is more than words, just as Christ said. Praise is living a pleasing Christian life before God, devoted and centered on God. It is recognizing God’s glory, the barriers within yourself to living such a life, and God's ability to overcome them, so you become what you were designed to be: a useful servant of God. Living to the praise of His glory, not yours or anyone else's.

These are the glorious realities beyond human description; they are breathtaking. Some 40-odd imperatives are found in Ephesians. None appears in the first chapter. It is not written so that you do something. It is written by Paul so that you might be enlightened that there is nothing you can do to make yourself what God has elected. You alone are a chosen child of God. Deemed so by His will. Made so by His grace. Enlightened by faith. Redeemed through Christ as an everlasting heir to the Kingdom. All for the glory of God. Soli deo Gloria.

If you do not know Christ as your Savior but have been called to read of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, odds are you are one of the elect of the Most High God. Seek and find out. Ask Him to enlighten you, to save you, and redeem you from the slavery of sin. I pray you do not wait.

Grace and Peace