“For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.” (v. 4)

Predestined.

Let’s be real:

That’s a loaded word—in the church, in debate, and in our hearts. We are simultaneously comforted by the pure grace-gift of the sovereign God, afforded in Christ, and also conflicted. The language—biblical language!—that speaks of salvation as God’s choice and not ours has challenged interpreters for forever.

Why should we, then, turn our hearts around to both comfort and confidence in the sovereignty of God over salvation?

Consider:

It is an ultimate expression of love, for it predates existence itself.

It is an ultimate expression of grace, prepared for you before your life of sin even began.

It is an ultimate expression of authority, entrusting salvation to the only One who could actually accomplish it, through His atoning sacrifice.

And it is an ultimate expression of security—because, just as you cannot afford it for yourself, neither can you lose it, as one who is sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Read all of Ephesians, and revel in the pure grace of predestination, for it should inspire our praise for His glory.

— Tyler