CHOSEN BY GOD AND FOR GOD

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 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. Ephesians 1:3-4


The apostle Paul was full of praise as he reflected on his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and on "every spiritual blessing." Paul was grateful for the natural and spiritual blessings both works of the Lord that he was already enjoying. Paul put on display the rich life he knew as a result of the grace God bestows on believers. Indeed, it is a privilege to be a child of God.
In these two verses Paul also celebrated the doctrine of election. He realized that he did not choose God, but rather God chose him. Almighty God took the initiative in the relationship. Furthermore, Paul understood that he was chosen not only by God but also for God. Pastor and writer Adrian Rogers would often say, "He chose me, that I could choose Him." Pastor writer John MacArthur said, "God's election or predestination does not operate apart from or nullify man's responsibility to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior."
We are blessed to realize that there was nothing in us to commend us to God, no human goodness or merit, yet He saved us from our sins. Through Jesus work on the cross, God declared righteous those of us who were unrighteous. The good and generous God did all this and more "to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:6).

Prayer :

Almighty and sovereign God, You alone are worthy of praise. Teach me to praise You with all that I am.

Amen

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