having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
Ephesians 1:5-7 NKJV
Predestined does not suggest a fatalism that excludes some while including others, but assures an appointed plan and guaranteed destiny for all the redeemed.
Accepted is literally “graced with grace.” “In Christ” is a recurring term designating the sphere in which all salvation is realized and the realm in which God’s kingdom purposes are fulfilled—in the circle of the King’s (Christ’s) reign.
This letter repeatedly insists that the ground of all grace is the reconciling death of Jesus Christ on the cross
( 2:16 ), at the expense of His redeeming blood ( 2:13 ). Through this alone God offers forgiveness ( 4:32 ). Forgiveness is possible because Christ loved the church and gave Himself to provide it ( 5:25–27 ).
No comments:
Post a Comment