EPH 1:4-6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

>>What are we to understand by this word "predestination"? V:5 says God's children are predestinated "...unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself..."

>>However, when held in its context we will see that God has predetermined our destiny in this life as well as for life hereafter.

EPH 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

>>Our destiny in this life cannot be separated from God's eternal decree any more than our eternal destiny.

ROM 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover [i.e., also] whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

>>"Predestination," as taught in the Scriptures— is our destiny as predetermined by the Lord—it is God's predetermined destiny of what we are to be—as well as what we are to become, in His Divine will.

>>First, let's consider our destiny in this life—Our text says, EPH 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

>>Who do we find spoken of in Scripture that in-fact arrived at this destination without making shipwreck? See what Hannah said of Samuel—

1-SA 1:27-28 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

>>Even though the house of Eli totally failed of their destiny assigned by the Lord— yet see what we read of Samuel

1SA 2:17-18 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

>>When we take the doctrine of predestination out of its context—then we teach it only with regard to the secret will of God—

EPH 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

>>Doing so not only looses sight of our original God given destiny in this life—they lose sight of God's law of Reward or Consequences—as all those who violated their destiny such as Eli and his sons who's lives ended with God's judgments.

>>Samuel fulfilled his God given destiny as Judge of Israel with clean hands—and God was glorified in his ability to ask

1SA 12:3-4 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

>>On the other side of this same principle notice the fate of King Saul whom the Lord chose to be king— to take over the government of Israel, and see how he missed his destiny "...that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

>>It was none other than the Lord who chose Saul to be King as we see from 1-SA 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

>>Saul was not Samuel's choice—nor was he the choice of Israel—his destiny was chosen by the Lord— God was with Saul and gave him the anointing of the Spirit.

1SA 10:6-7 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

>>Indeed, Saul was fully qualified by the grace of God to be able to perform the commission for, "...when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day," 1-SA 10:9.

>>Here was a man who was chosen and appointed by God, who received another heart, and was moved upon by the Holy Spirit; God was with him— What more could be required to qualify him for his God given destiny to lead Israel?

>>Saul's kingdom started out right—walking in the fear of the Lord he quickly won a great battle against the Ammonites. The people came to his support saying

1-SA 11:12-13 Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

>>Why was it that a kingdom which was appointed of the Lord ended in such tragedy? See his own confession as he turned unto witchcraft.

1SA 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

>>What was it that brought King Saul to such a disastrous end? He failed to abide in God's predestined purpose for his life!

1-SA 13:13-14 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

>>A right understanding of the doctrine of predestination refutes the principle of governing our lives by the secret will of God— see what we read in

1-SA 15:22-23 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

>>Is the Lord as pleased with us coming to plead the blood of Christ—as He is with what He has predestined us to be—"...that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"?

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

>>See how the history of King Saul refutes fatalistically governing our lives by God's secret will!—

>>this Scripture has recorded a case scenario of a man whom the Lord would "...have established...for ever," if he had not rejected the word of the Lord.

>>See how the old Testament gospel runs in perfect harmony with our text

MIC 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

>>These principles run in perfect harmony with the Scriptures doctrines of election with regards to the revealed will of God—

>>Our text says it is God who chooses

EPH 1:4-6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

>>It is God who calls—

ROM 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:

>>But that does not teach fatalism 2PE 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

>>What is God's revealed purpose for predestining our walk and attitude—as well as our entrance "...into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"?

EPH 1:11-12 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

>>Our Saviour placed His Father's glory before His very life in the flesh.

JOH 12:27-28 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

>>If we love God our greatest desire is that we might be instruments unto His glory.

JOH 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

>>Our lives as well as our salvation are predestined for the glory of the Father.

REV 4:10-11 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

>>The fruit the Father is looking for is that Spirit of Christ formed in you as your hope of glory.

MAT 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his Saviour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

>>Why has the Father "chosen us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world,"? The answer is found right in this same verse, "...that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

>>Then what follows is EPH 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace or Divine influence upon the heart which is revealed in our lives and attitudes], wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

>>Wherein, then do we see the sovereignty of God in our actions and attitudes—"he hath made us accepted in the beloved," i.e., "...meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light"?

PHI 2:12-13 Wherefore [that is—because the Father was so glorified in the perfect obedience of Christ], my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

>>Our Heavenly Father so loved the world that He gave us the unspeakable gift of His only begotten Son—WHY? "...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," JOH 3:16.

>>But by nature we are at "...enmity against God: for [we are] not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be," ROM 8:7— So then who will believe?

ACT 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

>>As the Lord reveals His secret will we see how His unspeakable love was expressed for us while we were yet sinners—

ROM 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

>>Yet He did not come to save us in our sins—but from our sins— our text says, EPH 1:4-6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.