The Third Sermon on the First Chapter - Ephesians 1:4-6

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. - Ephesians 1:4-6

I previously began to elucidate that it is entirely improper for us to engage in licentious living under the pretext of God's predestination of us before the world's inception. We must not employ this as an excuse to surrender ourselves to all forms of wrongdoing, assuming that we are immune to perishing because God has chosen us as His beloved children. We must not sever what God has firmly linked together. In light of His choice for us to lead lives of sanctity and moral purity, our divine election should serve as the foundational source of good fruits in our lives. When God leaves us in our natural condition, we are inevitably inclined toward wickedness, for human nature is inherently corrupt and prone to sin. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to undergo a profound transformation through God's grace, a transformation that encompasses His predestination of us even before our birth.

Moreover, we ought to take heed that God occasionally permits His chosen ones to stray temporarily, allowing them to appear as if lost, only to lovingly gather them back into His fold at His chosen time. This experience serves to humble them and magnify God's boundless goodness and mercy before the eyes of the world. Had God ordained His elect to lead perfect lives from infancy, it might not be as apparent that such righteousness is the fruit of His grace and the workings of His Holy Spirit. Yet, when individuals who were once mired in sin are transformed, it becomes evident that such a transformation cannot transpire without the divine intervention of God. Consequently, we must acknowledge that every ounce of goodness within us is owed to God. We should approach this realization with humility, recognizing that we were on a perilous path until He mercifully rescued us from it. Some erroneously hold the belief that God steers His elect from their earliest moments, instantly consecrating them upon birth. However, this notion contradicts both our experiences and the teachings of St. Paul to the Corinthians and Romans, which clearly demonstrate that God effects the transition from iniquity to holiness in individuals.

It is imperative that we eternally bear in mind that God has chosen us not to permit us to live in unrighteousness, but rather to beckon us toward lives of holiness. Had He not extended His grace to us, we would remain as wretched outcasts, captives to our own corrupt inclinations, persistently drawn toward evil. Our inclination toward righteous living is the direct result of God's unfettered mercy, a divine benevolence manifested long before our birth and the inception of the world. This passage soundly refutes the blasphemous assertions of those who seek to disentangle God's sovereign election from a life characterized by righteousness, arguing that, by virtue of being divinely chosen, we are immune to the consequences of our actions. The answer is straightforward: deprived of God's predestination, rebellion against righteousness would inevitably dominate our lives, given the natural tendencies of our fallen human nature. We engage in acts of righteousness because God guides and directs us through His Holy Spirit, all owing to His gracious election. Therefore, let us remain steadfast in preserving the inseparable union ordained by God.

Moreover, it is crucial for us to grasp that God's transformative work in us and His guidance toward the righteous path does not signify instantaneous or lifelong perfection. St. Paul does not assert that God leads His chosen ones to a state of flawless perfection but rather that He steers them in that direction. Our journey towards perfection extends throughout our entire earthly existence, and even until our last breath, we remain in the process of growth and learning. We must continuously acknowledge the presence of many faults within ourselves. Those who believe they have reached perfection are either ensnared by the deceits of hypocrisy and the snare of pride, or they lack the true fear of God in their hearts, thus becoming nothing more than empty pretenders. Those who engage in honest selfexamination will invariably discover a reservoir of vices within, leading them to humility and deep introspection.

Individuals who proclaim that we can attain perfection while inhabiting these mortal bodies are either ensnared by the treacherous grip of pride or stand as irreligious and impious souls bereft of true piety. For us, it is paramount to recognize that God has elected us to be blameless, but such a state remains beyond our reach until we are liberated entirely from our inherent weaknesses and have departed from this sinful prison in which we are presently ensnared. Consequently, when we encounter blemishes within ourselves, we should confront them with unwavering courage, unyielding in the face of discouragement that might lead us to question whether we are indeed children of God, simply because we have yet to achieve faultlessness in His sight. Our sins, which render us blameworthy, always remain in our consciousness.

Even as we encounter numerous inner struggles that may seem to divert us from the righteous path, we must persevere, ever conscious of the enduring journey that accompanies our sojourn in this earthly realm. We must continue our onward progress, cognizant that we have not yet arrived at our journey's end. Such understanding should fortify the hearts of the faithful, leading us to sigh and groan beneath the weight we carry. The perfection of the faithful and God's children is found in our recognition of our own frailty and in our entreaties to God, not only for the correction of our misdeeds but also for His enduring forbearance, appealing for mercy rather than facing the full brunt of His severity. Thus, our refuge and aid rest in God's boundless mercy, which veils and pardons all our transgressions. We have not yet attained the pinnacle of holiness and blamelessness to which He summons us. Nevertheless, we must press onward, unwavering in our course.

If, in this context, the term 'love' pertains to our fellow human beings, then St. Paul seeks to underscore the essence of genuine righteousness for Christians. This essence resides in walking the path of faithfulness and uprightness. Many hypocrites endeavor to appease God with ostentatious ceremonies and outward displays of piety while simultaneously engaging in deeds of wickedness: acts of thievery, envy, malice, cruelty, treachery, intemperance, and licentiousness. St. Paul decisively rebukes such hypocrisy by asserting that true Christians should tread the path of love, which serves as the bond of perfection and the embodiment of God's law. Only in this way can our lives gain God's approval. This is the profound lesson we should draw from this passage.

Moreover, let us humbly acknowledge that every virtue and goodness dwelling within us originates from God. Whether we exhibit zeal, strive against our vices, or obediently follow the path of the Divine, it is because God ordained it so – an outcome of His prior election. We must firmly grasp that the credit for our righteous actions belongs to God, and we should never withhold from Him the praise rightfully His. Even if we were to lead lives as virtuous as angels, ascribing such righteousness to our own willpower and endeavors would be grievous error, missing the essential truth. All our virtuous deeds ought to resound with the glory of God, not ourselves. St. Paul's intent in this passage is to continually remind us of God's gratuitous choice, underscoring that all goodness springs forth from this divine source.

He promptly adds that "we are predestined by adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will." When St. Paul asserts that God has predestined us through adoption, he underscores that our status as God's children arises not from our inherent nature but solely from His boundless grace. This grace is not contingent upon anything God foresees in us, as previously elucidated, but solely because He predetermined and designated us for such adoption. The cause of this adoption resides entirely within God Himself. St. Paul underscores that all of this unfolds in and through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the pivotal message in this passage is that we attain the status of God's children solely through His selection of us in Himself. Our origin is not derived from human lineage or inheritance, and it is not a consequence of flesh and blood. This serves as a poignant reminder that absent divine intervention, humanity remains disconnected from God's kingdom.

While it is true that our forefather Adam was originally created in the image of God [Genesis 1:26] and possessed inherent excellence, the advent of sin rendered us all entirely helpless. Even Adam himself, after the onset of sin, was utterly devoid of strength. His free will, initially bestowed upon him, merely rendered him more culpable, as he fell willingly through his own disobedience. This underscores his inherent instability, for though meticulously formed, he fell from grace and thereby brought ruin upon himself and all of us. Consequently, we are all born as children of divine wrath, bearing God's curse [Ephesians 2:3].

As long as we persist in our fallen state, we are marred by nothing but eternal death. Thus, it is incumbent upon God to graciously beckon us to Himself, for we are entirely incapable of purchasing such a lofty calling. We lack the gold, silver, or virtues to reciprocate God for such a profound and magnificent privilege. In essence, this divine calling does not derive from any earthly source but solely from God's act of adoption [John 1:13]. Here, St. Paul employs the term "adoption" to signify God's selection of us as His children. When a person adopts a child, they choose that child as their heir, and all their possessions subsequently pass to the child under that title. Similarly, we, as heirs of heavenly life, are divinely chosen and adopted by God as His cherished children. What's more, St. Paul does not merely extol God's grace but also declares that God has preordained and predestined this divine arrangement.

St. Paul has masterfully gathered all elements that might debunk the misguided beliefs suggesting that we could somehow contribute to God or raise ourselves to a level where we become acceptable to Him. Every pretense must be shattered, leaving only God's grace to be recognized in this matter. Hence, he reiterates "through Jesus Christ." If someone inquires why and how God predestined us to be His children, it is purely because He took delight in considering us in Christ. As elucidated earlier, Jesus Christ serves as a mirror that brings God pleasure. The distinction lies in this truth. Furthermore, St. Paul underscores that God's selection of us was "in Himself." Though God is the author of all goodness, St. Paul aims to emphasize that no other cause influenced Him to choose us apart from His own sovereign will. St. Paul eliminates any room for partiality by stating that God elected us in Himself. If God had discovered merit, worthiness, disposition, goodness, virtue, or anything in us that pleased or met His approval, we would not have been chosen in Himself; our role would have been a part of the process.

Hence, St. Paul implies that individuals gravely deceive themselves when they assume they possess any intrinsic worth or have readied themselves to receive such grace. To genuinely comprehend the foundation and origin of our salvation and its supreme and exclusive source, we must direct our gaze to God's divine plan. This is precisely what St. Paul conveys when he declares that God accomplished it in Himself.

Nevertheless, St. Paul takes this even further by appending, "according to the good pleasure of His own will." Had he only employed the word "will," it would have sufficed, as we have already witnessed and elucidated, to convey that St. Paul was chosen according to God's will. Why? Because he was neither fit nor deserving of apostleship, except that it pleased God to designate him. Thus, St. Paul does not boast of having earned his apostleship but humbly recognizes it as a gracious gift from God. This underscores the significance of the term "will," not in one instance alone but consistently throughout the sacred Scriptures. Whenever God's will is mentioned, it serves to emphasize that humanity cannot contribute anything of their own. However, St. Paul employs an even more robust term here, declaring, "according to the good pleasure." Essentially, he conveys that God's will is the cause of our salvation, and we should not seek other explanations or avenues. Yet, owing to human ingratitude and wickedness, which frequently obscure God's glory, it is imperative for us to grasp that it emanates from the good pleasure of His will. This signifies an independent will that relies solely on itself, regardless of external factors. God graciously selects us because it pleases Him.

Now we can grasp why those who attempt to ascertain the cause of God's election of us would, if given the chance, undermine His eternal purpose, for the two are inseparably entwined. If God has indeed chosen us, as this passage reveals, then nothing hinges upon our merits or anything we might proffer. God acted in accordance with His own free will, without discovering any rationale other than His good pleasure. Some may find this perplexing because they strive to approach God too familiarly. This audacious disposition demonstrates their disregard for God's sovereignty in pure freedom, where what pleases Him is received as good, just, and right without contradiction. Nevertheless, regardless of how vociferously individuals may protest, this decree, delivered by the Holy Spirit through St. Paul, remains unalterable. It unequivocally asserts that we should not search for any deeper cause of our election than the good pleasure of God, which emanates from His own free will. He chose us when we were utterly undeserving, and His solitary impetus lies encapsulated in the phrase, "it pleased me." This elucidates the vital lesson we should draw from St. Paul's words.

St. Paul promptly appends that this election is "to the praise of the glory of His grace." In this declaration, he unveils the ultimate motive that impelled God to select us: that His grace might be extolled, not in an ordinary or commonplace manner, but with a particular brilliance. He intertwines these two elements to evoke profound reflection when contemplating how God has plucked us from the abyss of damnation, flung wide the gates of His kingdom for us, and summoned us to the inheritance of salvation. This reaffirms the point I previously underscored: those who attempt to erase or sidestep discussions of God's predestination expose themselves as fierce adversaries of God's adoration. They mistakenly assume that such adulation fades into obscurity. But who possesses the authority to make such a judgment? Do they believe themselves wiser than God, who unmistakably refutes their assertions? It is undeniable that the wicked will invariably unearth reasons to blaspheme, and they cannot be deterred. Nevertheless, God has ample justification to vindicate Himself, and those who oppose Him and His righteousness shall be disconcerted.

With that said, it is not without justification that St. Paul proclaims that God is justly glorified, and His exalted praise is upheld when we acknowledge that He freely selected whomever He willed. There exists no other rationale for the distinction between individuals: those who are reprobate perish because they merit it, while those called to salvation ought not to seek an alternative cause but rather recognize it in this gratuitous adoption.

Furthermore, through these words, St. Paul also kindles within us a fervent and zealous praise for God. Mere confession of our salvation as a product of God's pure liberality is insufficient if it remains tepid and detached. Rather, we should be ignited with an ardent dedication to His praise, as if our entire being were wholly consecrated to this purpose. St. Peter underscores that, having been rescued from the abyss of death, we possess every reason to extol the indescribable praises of God. By this, he conveys that even when the faithful exert their utmost efforts to extol God's benevolence, they will never fully achieve it, for it is beyond comprehension. Thus, we must grasp that humanity will never ascribe to God His rightful glory until every reason for boasting is utterly extinguished. Even if we were to disregard God's election, He would still be deserving of praise. When we contemplate the wonders He unveils to us in His creation, there exists abundant cause to engage in continuous praise throughout our lives. Similarly, when His gospel is proclaimed, we find reason for praise, even without explicit mention of His election. However, people would deprive God of His primary praise, erroneously believing they had faith through their own initiative and free will. As I previously emphasized, faith is a fruit of election. The sole distinction between us and unbelievers lies in God's outstretched hand, drawing us to Himself through hidden means while we were turning away and estranged. In summation, St. Paul asserts that God's praise will never receive the honor it deserves until we acknowledge His election as the cause of all the blessings He lavishes upon us. Devoid of this acknowledgment, we would steal a portion of the praise for ourselves, robbing God of His rightful glory. To conclude, this passage instructs us that we must wholly humble ourselves, ensuring that God receives His due praise, with none sharing in His glory. All must confess that He is both the origin and the culmination of our salvation.

We must also carefully contemplate how St. Paul adds that 'of his own grace he has accepted us in his well-beloved.' This further elucidates why our salvation rests exclusively upon God's election and free grace. Men will not relinquish their foolish presumption unless they are so utterly overwhelmed that words fail them. Therefore, St. Paul makes it clear that we are condemned and lost within ourselves. When such a thunderbolt descends upon us, we ought not to display insolence. If individuals persist in fruitlessly searching for something within themselves apart from God's grace, this declaration should suffice to dissuade them. We were not within God's favor until we were enveloped in Jesus Christ, for we stand wholly condemned and accursed in our natural state. This matter has been expounded sufficiently, yet our sluggish understanding and hypocrisy often obstruct our comprehension of what should be plain to us. In truth, our own experience should instruct us in this matter. Were it not for hypocrisy clouding our vision, we would discern the wickedness within us, and God's wrath would strike us with fear. Nevertheless, God must compel us to obedience, for we are incapable of entirely relinquishing self-praise to Him on our own. Therefore, let us grasp the significance of this statement, affirming that we were received into favor in Jesus Christ because He is the beloved of God. Why is Jesus Christ designated as God's beloved, as evident in the seventeenth chapter of Matthew and other passages, as elucidated by the prophet Isaiah? This title signifies that God justly despises and abhors us while we remain in our natural condition.

If this title were not exclusively reserved for Jesus Christ, then it would have been in vain for God to declare, 'This is my well-beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.' If this title is unique to Jesus Christ, then no other creature can rightfully claim it. While God indeed loves His angels, they cannot attain perfect favor from Him without Jesus Christ. As for us, a profound consideration arises. Sin has estranged us from God, causing Him to regard us as His adversaries and turning away from us. Therefore, among humanity, Jesus Christ alone is beloved, while the rest of us are rejected and disowned by God to the extent that He repented of having made humankind. This implies that we are not even worthy to be counted among the lowhest creatures such as donkeys or dogs. Despite any boasting or selfaggrandizement, the Holy Spirit debunks the pride of those who presume themselves worthy. Thus, let us recognize that if we are counted as enemies of God, we are in a far worse state than if we had never been created.

However, St. Paul reassures us that 'God has accepted us in His wellbeloved.' Just as our Lord Jesus Christ is received by God the Father as the beloved, not only in His own person but also extending to all the members of His body, we are reconciled and God embraces us as His children, even though we were once His enemies and utterly detestable to Him. Nevertheless, we must consistently revisit the topic of election, as the graces bestowed upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ also originate from the same divine source.

Continuing on the subject I have previously touched upon, St. Paul highlights our great need to be beloved in Jesus Christ. Without God's persuasion, we would never genuinely recognize that we owe everything to Him. Our natural inclination is always to seek self-advancement, and everyone seeks to reserve something for themselves, even if it amounts to no more than a trivial token.

However, St. Paul, in contrast, reveals that God must truly love us apart from any merit within ourselves, and our acceptability to Him cannot be based on our own qualities. Why? Because we are captives and slaves to sin, held under the oppressive yoke of Satan, ensnared in the shackles of death until we are ransomed by our Lord Jesus Christ. The essence of this teaching lies in urging humanity to look beyond themselves and find their salvation in the pure goodness of God, particularly through the means presented here, which involves turning to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Two harmful extremes must be vigilantly avoided. Firstly, when approaching our Lord Jesus Christ, we should never entertain the notion that there is any inherent worthiness in us that merits His bestowal of benefits. How can we correct this vice? By acknowledging God's gratuitous election. Men often overestimate the capabilities of their free will and form inflated opinions about their own merits and worthiness, failing to grasp that their value is derived solely from God's acceptance, driven by His innate goodness and grace through His prior election in His eternal counsel.

Hence, we cannot attribute the commencement of our salvation to God unless we confess that we were utterly condemned and accursed when He adopted us, and that the inception of His adoption of us can be traced to His predestination before the dawn of creation.

The second perilous extreme we must guard against is the realm of speculation. There are those whose imagination leads them to say, "Since I may never ascertain if God has chosen me, I shall remain in my state of perdition." Yet, this stems from their failure to approach Jesus Christ. How can we come to know that God selected us before the world's inception? It is through our faith in Jesus Christ. As previously mentioned, faith is the fruit of election, with the root concealed within. Whoever believes is thereby assured that God has been at work within them, and faith serves as an authentic duplicate of the original document of our adoption, graciously granted to us by God.

I express these matters in terms familiar to humanity, for we understand that God does not employ paper or parchment to inscribe our names. As mentioned before, the ledger in which we are inscribed is our Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, God reserves knowledge of our election unto Himself, akin to a prince safeguarding the chief and original document. However, He furnishes us with sufficiently reliable copies or deeds, imprinting them upon our hearts through His Holy Spirit to demonstrate that we are indeed His children.

You can discern that the faith we hold in our Lord Jesus Christ is ample to secure our confidence in our election. What more could we require? I previously elucidated that Jesus Christ serves as the mirror in which God perceives us when He seeks to find us pleasing in His sight. From our perspective, He is the mirror upon which we must fix our gaze to ascertain our election. For anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is unmistakably a child of God and, consequently, an heir, as I have proclaimed before. The conclusion, therefore, is that if we possess faith, we are also recipients of divine adoption. Why does God grant us faith? It is because He elected us prior to the world's inception. This establishes an unerring sequence: the faithful receive God's grace, embrace His mercy, acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Head to attain salvation in His path, and in this way, they possess the sure knowledge that God has adopted them.

Indeed, election, in its essence, remains shrouded in secrecy. It is a purpose so profound and concealed that we can only marvel at its mystery. Yet, notwithstanding its enigmatic nature, God reveals it to us when necessary, understanding that it is for our welfare and salvation. He does so when He illuminates us with the faith that emanates from the gospel. Thus, you can discern why, after St. Paul expounded on God's eternal election, he presented Jesus Christ as the One to whom we must turn in order to obtain assurance of God's love for us and His acknowledgment of us as His children. Consequently, He adopted us before we knew Him and even before the world's inception.

Furthermore, it is crucial for us to grasp from this passage that the doctrine of predestination should not serve as fuel for extravagant and unproductive speculations. Rather, it is a doctrine designed to humble us and dispel the erroneous belief in our inherent worthiness and merits. It underscores God's absolute power, privilege, and sovereign dominion over us. He possesses the authority to reprobate whom He deems fit and to elect whom He pleases. This realization should lead us to exalt and glorify Him, acknowledging that He chose us in Jesus Christ, thereby securing us firmly through the unwavering faith we place in His gospel. As members of His divine family, with Jesus as our Head, we are bound together in a sacred union that can never be severed as long as we remain steadfast in our belief in His gospel. It is to Him that we must turn for the assurance of our salvation.

Through our experiences, we discern that God has indeed adopted and chosen us. He calls us, offering assurance through His gospel that He will be our Father. This assurance is indelibly etched upon our hearts by His Holy Spirit and is utterly truthful. Although the gospel may be proclaimed to all, even to those who are ultimately reprobate, God does not extend to them the special grace of granting them spiritual life.

Hence, when we find our adoption deeply engraved in our hearts, it serves as a trustworthy and unwavering pledge that God will guide us to the very end. He has initiated our journey toward salvation and will lead us to the perfection to which He beckons us. Without His divine guidance, we could not even take a single step along this path.

Therefore, let us approach the majesty of our benevolent God with humility, confessing our shortcomings and faults. May we beseech Him to deepen our awareness of our own imperfections, leading us to abhor our vices and sinful ways. In our pursuit of healing, we must never stray from Him as He reveals Himself to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We must remain steadfast on this path, fully aware that we are chosen in Him, sustained, and preserved for His name's sake. He will continue to work within us until we have completed our earthly journey and arrived at the heavenly inheritance that awaits us. We earnestly implore Him to grant us unwavering strength to persevere, even when our destination seems distant. May He continually renew us in His image until His divine likeness shines brilliantly within us, making us partakers of the glorious immortality that He has lovingly secured for us. In our prayers, we extend our heartfelt pleas for His grace not only to ourselves but to all peoples and nations.