BY GOD’S WILL

“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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
—Ephesians 1:11-12

HOW DID sinners, such as you and I, who are no better than any other sinner in this world, receive this inheritance from God? Vs. 11: “being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” How did you and I receive this inheritance from God? By God’s will! God chose us in Christ! We didn’t receive the inheritance of God by chance, or by your own choice, or by our works, but we received the inheritance of God by His will alone!

JOHN 1:12-13, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John says that everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ is counted as a child of God. But how is it that some believe in Christ and others do not? John gives us the answer in vs. 13, He says they “were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” It wasn’t genealogy that made us children of God, and it wasn’t anything in our sinful flesh or our sinful will that caused us to believe in Christ. Rather John says we believe because we were born of God. It is God’s work; it is God’s will.  

AND SO, the Apostle Paul says in our text: Vs. 11, “being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” You see, Paul is telling us the reason we enjoy the blessing of redemption and fellowship with Jesus Christ is because God reached out to us. 1 John 4:19, “We love Him because He first loved us.” “It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy! Therefore, He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens” (Romans 9:16). Paul wants us to delight in the sovereignty of God’s mercy and praise Him for this free salvation that He has given to us solely in Christ.  

AND WHAT fruit does a person manifest who has received God’s mercy? One who receives mercy is merciful. One who receives forgiveness is forgiving. Are you a merciful and forgiving person? Jesus said, “Those who have been forgiven much love much.” Can that be said of you? No one can receive the mercy of God and practice unforgiveness towards others. Delight and duty are always the response of those who receive God’s blessings. And Paul says in vs. 12 that we obtained an inheritance by God’s will in order that, “we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” God has chosen us in Christ and given us an inheritance that we might praise Him for the glory of His grace! 

DO YOU realize this? We live in such a self-centered culture where people are focused on themselves, and everyone demands their rights. But our text calls us to live a completely God-centered life. And when we do, we will make decisions based on God’s Word and we will strive to love others even as we are loved. When we love our neighbor, we manifest our love for God and our desire to glorify Him by the way we tangibly care for and love one another. Let us be people who faithfully and daily praise God for the glory of His grace!

Friday Devotional: April 12, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry