Unconditional Election Part 3

III. Ephesians 1:3-14.

This is one of the great election passages. In it we find two main points:

1. Election is in Christ.
2. Election is for the glory of God.

This passage tells us that our election, salvation, and spiritual blessings are all “in Christ” or “in him” nine times. As I mentioned in part 1 there are advocates of conditional election that would say that Christ is the elect one and those who meet the condition of faith in him are therefore elect in him. However, this text is not arguing in this way. Consider it this way instead, to what have we been elected or “predestined” that is not on the basis of Christ’s righteous life and sacrificial death? Absolutely nothing! This does not negate the election of individuals to salvation, rather, it appropriates the central aspect of that election (this will be further explained in coming posts).

Secondly we see that the goal of God electing us is “to the praise of His glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:6). There are at least seven references in this passage to the goal of God’s election and ultimate salvation. God is working all things toward a single purpose, namely, “the praise of His glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7, Ephesians 1:14).

Grace be with you,
Stephen