The verses in question do not say anything about God choosing before the creation of the world which individuals will be saved. Instead, they emphasize the purpose and outcome of God's choosing, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. The focus here is on God’s overarching plan for those who are in Christ, highlighting that in love, He predestined us to adoption as sons. This adoption speaks of a relational change, signifying that those who accept the gospel become children of God. It is not through personal merit, but God’s gracious will.
Ephesians 1 does not speak of the eternal destiny of the unrepentant and the unbelieving, nor even an irresistible calling of the human will. Instead, it relates to God predetermining the plan of salvation and how those who get saved will serve Him. It is not speaking of the issue of unconditional election, but rather the destiny and purpose of believers in Christ.
"Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will." (Ephesians 1:11)
Ephesians 1 concerns predestination for blessings, not who will specifically be recipients of salvation. This verse emphasizes that believers have obtained an inheritance, a metaphor for the eternal blessings and spiritual riches granted to them. This inheritance is part of God’s predetermined plan, signifying His purpose and sovereign will in the lives of believers. Those who are faithful to God have been predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This conformity is the process of sanctification, where believers grow in Christlikeness. The phrase "having been predestined" signifies that these blessings and this transformation were part of God’s eternal plan. We are included in Him the moment we believe from the heart the message of the gospel (Ephesians 1:13). We were not predestined to be in Christ, but are predestined "in Him." This indicates that predestination is based on our union with Christ, and election is conditioned on faith.
"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13)
This text speaks to the process of salvation and the assurance that comes with it. Those who are faithful to God have been predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. The moment believers hear the message of truth and believe in it, they are included in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit as a seal. This seal signifies ownership, security, and the guarantee of the inheritance mentioned earlier. We are included in Him the moment we believe from the heart the message of the gospel. The sealing of the Holy Spirit also indicates that believers are marked as God's own, signifying their new identity and the promise of future redemption. Election is conditioned on faith, and this faith results in the believer’s inclusion in Christ and the reception of the Holy Spirit.
Calvinists misunderstand Scripture due to having a confirmation bias. They take out of context words such as elected, predestined, foreknew, and before the foundation of the world to fit their deterministic theological paradigm. Thus, Calvinists altogether miss the point of contexts such as Ephesians 1:1-13. If our eternal destinies have already been determined by God since the beginning of time, then why would the Apostle Paul pray for the salvation of all people (1 Timothy 2:1-2)? How is it possible for people to harden their own hearts against God (Psalm 95:8)? Why should Christians even be concerned about the loss of heavenly rewards (1 Corinthians 3:15; 2 John 8-9)?
This text speaks to the process of salvation and the assurance that comes with it. Those who are faithful to God have been predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. The moment believers hear the message of truth and believe in it, they are included in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit as a seal. This seal signifies ownership, security, and the guarantee of the inheritance mentioned earlier. We are included in Him the moment we believe from the heart the message of the gospel. The sealing of the Holy Spirit also indicates that believers are marked as God's own, signifying their new identity and the promise of future redemption. Election is conditioned on faith, and this faith results in the believer’s inclusion in Christ and the reception of the Holy Spirit.
Calvinists misunderstand Scripture due to having a confirmation bias. They take out of context words such as elected, predestined, foreknew, and before the foundation of the world to fit their deterministic theological paradigm. Thus, Calvinists altogether miss the point of contexts such as Ephesians 1:1-13. If our eternal destinies have already been determined by God since the beginning of time, then why would the Apostle Paul pray for the salvation of all people (1 Timothy 2:1-2)? How is it possible for people to harden their own hearts against God (Psalm 95:8)? Why should Christians even be concerned about the loss of heavenly rewards (1 Corinthians 3:15; 2 John 8-9)?
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