Ephesians 1 Commentary
Peter is right: Paul’s teachings are hard! 2 Peter 3 verses 15 and 16. In two places in this opening chapter, he clearly references the term predestination as applies to its true meaning. Believers are predestined for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.
The freely flowing teaching of the scripture is that men and women can elect their own destinies by the decision they make, hence “freewill”. Predestination and “Freewill” stand tall in scripture. The scripture teaches both. How both apply in the same space at the same time is clearly beyond our imagination.
Even the most foolish woman knows the day of delivery comes. She prepares herself to receive the baby. Never mind the fact that this process could go wrong the baby never comes! Logic: Don’t you think the all-knowing God would prepare for what He surely knows will happen? Never mind if He controls the process or not!
The above scenario is foreknowledge and not predestination. But if the mother in the above example does “everything” to ensure that the baby is born and the right environment is provided, the term foreknowledge is definitely short. The destiny of the child will have been determined by the actions of the mother. Predestination becomes the right word.
God sending His Son and providing an environment for you to listen to His word is nothing but a “guided process” to a destiny. The care, the love, the protection…aren’t these irresistible “bribes”.
Yet men and women must elect to follow Jesus! They must write the exam.
All the facts presented in the holy script remain intact and unaltered by either argument. In the test of life, all must take the exam. All must work to pass the exam. But if you consider the fact that God literally moves around helping candidates (whoever whispers a need for help), you begin to question the integrity of this exam. Others would even suggest that a fully written paper with correct answers (Jesus) is available to “copy”, or to simply put your name on, you wonder if at all life’s exam is fit to be called one.
We can ponder these terms, “Predestination” and “Free will” within the context of God’s impossible generosity. The terms grace, compassion, and justice become wonderfully impossible to comprehend! Then you know you are dealing with God!
Yes, the all-knowing God goes ahead and prepares college places for successful candidates. He isn’t like a human teacher who must wait for the results! Interestingly, candidates don’t know their fate, not even one! Even those who copied from the examiner’s marking key can’t be sure they copied correctly! So, they work their salvation with fear and trembling!
Concerning the salvation of his readers, Paul uses the term “when” and not “if” to refer to their belief in the message of salvation.
The saint is bought, packaged, and sealed for delivery! Heaven bound! But does the individual parcel know it’s been bought? There are signs, the apostle seems to suggest – like the presence of the Spirit. Verse 14.
The presence of the Spirit means the presence of love – an obvious consequence. If you have honey, you know the Bee is around! Verse 15.
Paul knows he can pray for wax – again an obvious byproduct! Faith, Wisdom, and Revelation. The Bee can gladly produce it! The bee farmer is a happy worker! The beekeeper has the product the LORD wants!
Knowledge of His incomparably great power for us who believe is a special gift – a special gift for His church, His body. Yes, the body of Christ can bask in the knowledge of the power of the Spirit – the same power as the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Hallelujah!
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