“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” (Ephesians 1:11 (ESV)
Providence is God’s preserving and governing all things by means of primary and second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God’s providence extends to the physical and natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the overall creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), the acts of humankind (1 Chr. 16: 31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan.2:21; 4:25), and particular individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4: 13-15).
God is in control of the voluntary actions of humans (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; Prov. 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1). This includes the sinful (2 Sam. 16:10; 24:1; Rom. 11:32; Acts 4:27, 28). and the good (Phil. 2:13; 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9, 10; Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5: 22-25). In other words, the sinful actions of people occur by God’s permission (Gen. 45:5; 50:20; 1 Sam. 6:6; Ex. 7:13; 14:17; Acts 2:3; 3:18; 4:27, 28), and are within His control (Ps. 76:10), which He uses for good (Gen. 50:20; Acts 3:13; Romans 8:28).
“I have spoken with many Christians over the years who have told me that when they finally came to grasp the sovereignty of God in salvation, they felt as if they were converted to Christ a second time. The reality is that for many people who feel that way, it is actually their first conversion to Christ. For it is only when we come to understand who God truly is that we come to understand ourselves—that we were dead in sin and that God by His sovereign will made us alive in Christ by the Holy Spirit. When we realize that our salvation is all because of God’s amazing grace, our eyes are opened. We see not only that God saved us but also how He saved us as the Spirit helps us reflect on everything that God has been orchestrating throughout our lives to bring about our salvation,” states Pastor Burk Parsons.
I was a first year Bible college student when the realization of God’s providence, of which Pastor Parsons writes, occurred in me. I had been a believer in Christ for three years. It was during a discussion with a professor of mine after a theology class that God’s providence in my salvation became clear. I was stunned. I was overwhelmed. I was filled with awe, joy and a tremendous sense of gratitude to God for saving my soul, when He was under no obligation to do so.
I recalled the believers God brought into my life who shared the Gospel. I thought of an invitation to an Easter Sunday evening concert. I remembered the moment the Holy Spirit regenerated me several months later enabling repentance of my sin and faith in Jesus Christ to occur. These providential events, and many more I suspect, all contributed to my conversion to Christ.
Today’s featured biblical text is one of many addressing the subject of God’s providence in salvation. In explaining the work of the Trinity in saving sinners from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin (Eph.1:3-14; 2:1-10), the Apostle Paul directly speaks of God’s divine power and purpose; underlying not only the sinner’s salvation but everything else in life and living.
““In him we have obtained an inheritance.” God the Father (Eph. 1:3-6), through the person and work of God the Son: Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7), chose to justify, redeem and reconcile sinners (Rom. 3:21-26), according to His own purpose and will (Eph.1:5, 9). It is because of His purposeful sovereignty; sinners have obtained an inheritance (ἐκληρώθημεν; eklerothemen) referring to God’s sovereign and providential choice. Chosen sinners are passive recipients of God’s active work.
“Having been predestined.” Predestined (προορισθέντες; prooristhentes) means to choose ahead of time or beforehand. It means to foreordain. This also is an active work by God in which sinners are passive recipients.
“According to the purpose of him.” Purpose (πρόθεσιν; prothesis) means to plan or to set forth. In the immediate context, it is to plan in advance the salvation of sinners in Christ alone, by grace alone through God given faith alone (Eph.2:1-9). God’s ultimate purpose in saving sinners is solely sourced and solely originates from God alone.
“Who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” All of the necessary components of salvation, and everything else in God’s created order, is by God’s work according to the counsel of His will. Work (ἐνεργοῦντος; energountos) refers to causing something to function. What God causes to function are all things (πάντα; panta) or everything. This is according to (κατὰ; kata) or in relationship with the counsel (βουλὴν; boulen) or intentional plan of God’s will. Will (θελήματος; thelematos) means God’s intent and desire.
“Neither fate nor human merit determines our destiny. The benevolent purpose—that we should be holy and faultless (Eph. 1:4), Sons of God (verse 5), destined to glorify him forever (verse 6, cf. verses 12 and 14)—is fixed, being part of a larger, universe-embracing plan,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
“Not only did God make this plan that includes absolutely all things that ever take place in heaven, on earth, and in hell; past, present, and even the future, pertaining to both believers and unbelievers, to angels and devils, to physical as well as spiritual energies and units of existence both large and small; He also wholly carries it out. His providence in time is as comprehensive as is his decree from eternity. Literally Paul states that God works (operates with his divine energy in) all things. The same word occurs also in verses 19 and 20, which refer to the working (energetic operation) of the infinite might of the Father of glory, which He wrought (energetically exerted) in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. Hence, nothing can upset the elect’s future glory.”
Soli deo Gloria!
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