He Chose Us

When Paul wrote Ephesians 1:3–14, he wrote it as one long sentence. The entire section gushes with praise for God’s planning, Jesus’s work, and the Spirit’s promise. It is as if Paul takes one big breath and practically shouts about what God has done. Paul says in verse 3 that we have been the recipients of divine favor found in Jesus Christ. God is a master planner. Before this world was created, God already had a plan to get as close to people as possible.

Before God created this world he planned for people to belong to him. He lovingly planned to be our spiritual father. Before we were ever born, God planned for us to be in relationship with him. And our relationship with him is not without meaning and purpose. God chose us to be holy and blameless. He chose us so that we could live for him in purity and to be seen by him as a people who are faultless.

Try to imagine the scene. Nothing exists. No sun, moon, or stars. All is black. God is all that exists. He is planning. He is thinking. Completely sufficient he doesn’t need anything. Yet, he wants to create. And he knows that as surely as he creates it will not remain pure. So before he speaks the first word, he carefully formulates a plan so that the impure can share in purity. Before he even breathes life into dust, he plans for all who will search for a place to call home will be able to find it. Why? Love. Grace. Mercy. Planning.

Most of us grew up in a family situation while not perfect provided for our needs. Most of us know what it is to have a place called home. Most of us were surrounded by folks who wanted us; loved us; provided for us; called us son or daughter. But there are hundreds of children in our city who know little about home and family. They are alone and abandoned. No one planned for them. No one loves them. No one calls them son or daughter. They have no place to call home. Where do they turn? What are they to do? Paul uses a word in verse 5 which carries a certain image in order to make a spiritual point.

“Adoption.” A word used to describe the legal transaction that takes place between a family and a child who has no family. The best definition of adoption was given by one who became a part of a family after birth. “Adoption is when you grow in your mother’s heart instead of her tummy.” This is what Paul says about us spiritually. Ephesians 2:1—dead in our sins. No place to call home. God chose us. Because of his great love he adopted us. He provided a place in his spiritual home for spiritual orphans. With nothing to offer, God opened his heart to us. Before time began, God, the Master Planner, knew that he wanted lots of children. Abandoned as we were because of sin, God chose us to be his sons and daughters. Through Jesus he welcomed us into his family. He gave us his name and he favored us with all he has to offer. No second class citizen. No awkwardness. His children. Why? Love. Mercy. Grace. Planning. Our God chose us. Before creation, he knew he wanted us to be near him. Through the work of Jesus he now calls us his sons and daughters. Every day we praise him. Our God is so wonderful.

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