God’s Purpose

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1:5 ESV) 

There is a popular idea that God knew in advance what we would do and chose us accordingly. But this would mean that predestination is the result of our choice. This is not what the Scripture says. Predestination is an act of God’s initiative, not ours. We are chosen ‘according to the purpose (pleasure) of his will’. An ambassador in ancient times might be told that he could see the king ‘at his majesty’s good pleasure’ (compare Esther 5:1-2). This is a similar idea. The choice is entirely up to our sovereign Lord. Its goal is the praise of his glory (see verses 11, 12). It derives from his grace, love and sovereign choice. ‘In love he predestined us,’ says Paul. 

There is some debate about whether predestination conflicts with free will. The word ‘predestine’ (prohorizo) means to mark out with a boundary beforehand. You will note that our English term ‘horizon’ derives from it. It may suggest the idea of freedom of choice within foreordained limits or horizons. In other words, it is not that God maps out every single detail of our lives. Rather, he sets limits within which it his purpose for us to live and within which we may make our own choices.

What follows next is interesting. Not only are we chosen to be holy and blameless. We are predestined to be adopted as God’s sons. First, let’s make it clear that in the Bible the term ‘sons’ includes ‘daughters’. In New Testament usage, it is an inclusive noun. 

The term ‘born again’ is popular these days to describe how we become children of God. But here the word is ‘adoption’. In normal usage, the term ‘born’ refers to a physical, biological, personal, familial relationship; ‘adopt’ is a term describing a legal relationship. In the kingdom of God both terms are used. To be adopted means we now receive benefits that would normally be our inheritance through birth:

· we are specifically chosen

· we receive a new identity

· we receive a new name

· we have all our needs provided

· we receive new rights and privileges

All these are now our rights as God’s adopted children. It is a powerful concept. 

It used to be the practice not to tell children they were adopted. Nowadays we tend to go in the opposite direction: we stress that they were deliberately selected. And that makes them special. So the Scripture says God predestined us for himself. How good is that!

So what?

1. Consider the five benefits of adoption given above. Give specific illustrations or examples of how each of these applies to you spiritually, with a relevant Bible reference if you can. (For example, ‘Because I am chosen, God will care for me.’ Matthew 6:25-34.) 

2. Memorise Ephesians 1:5.