Salvation is not a result of mere chance; it is part of God's eternal purpose, intention, and grace. It is not something that a believer can earn through their own merit. The book of Ephesians alludes to this truth, and God's eternal purpose is revealed through Jesus Christ.

Paul stated that God has blessed believers "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3 - ESV). These blessings are of the spiritual realm, timeless and beyond material, and are bestowed upon all who are "in Christ."

The phrase "in Christ" emphasises believers' close relation with Christ, after God placed them in Him (1 Cor. 1:30). Paul explains: "You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Now, in Christ, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26-28 – ERV).

Christ and the believer are spiritually united, similar to how a human has a head and a body. Paul refers to Christ as the head (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23) and the church (all believers) as Christ's body, which is filled with Him (Ephesians 1:22-23).

The body is made up of various parts such as arms, hands, legs, and feet. "A person may have only one body, but it has many parts…. Christ is similarly structured" (1 Corinthians 12:12 – ERV). "We are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others" (Rom. 12:4-5 – ERV).

An example of God's blessings to believers is seen in Ephesians 1:4 – ERV, where it says, "In Christ, he chose [them] for Himself before the world was made." This verse is significant as it indicates that even before the creation of the world, God had already chosen all who are "in Christ" to be His own.

This concept of God choosing His people is evident in the Old Testament. Israel's "election" (meaning "to choose" in Greek) was God's decision and action. He takes the initiative in choosing Israel to be His own people (Deut. 7:6-8).

The purpose for believers to become one with Christ is for them to belong to God. This means they must be separated from those who do not belong to God, be dedicated to Him, and live in a manner that pleases Him (Eph. 1:4).

From eternity past, God intended for believers to be His family, with Christ as His oldest Son. "Before the world was made, God decided to make [believers] his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it (Eph. 1:5 – ERV). "God knew [the believers] before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters" (Rom. 8:29 – ERV).

God also predetermined that Jesus would be crucified and resurrected, demonstrating that those who die in Christ will also be raised (Acts 4:23-31). God chose beforehand that the message of Christ’s death on the cross, would be the means by which people are brought to salvation (1 Cor. 2).

In conclusion, God's eternal purpose is Salvation through Christ for all who believe. The message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is the means by which people will come to faith in Christ. Those who are "in Christ" will be God's children, in the likeness of the Oldest Son, and they also have the hope of being resurrected like Christ.

Regarding those chosen in Christ, Paul writes: "And those whom God set apart, He called; and those He called, He justified, and those He justified, He shared His glory with them" (Romans 8:30). These words help us understand the sequence in which salvation occurs.

The following article will discuss the fact that man is born a sinner and is in need of salvation.

BIBLE VERSIONS

English Standard Version (ESV); Easy to Read Version (ERV)