Ephesians 1:11 [Christ] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him [Father God] who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 1:13 [Christ] In whom Ye Also Trusted, after that ye Heard The Word Of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye Believed, Ye Were Sealed With That Holy Spirit Of Promise,

Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he [Father God] purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Today, our is “… to make all men see what is ‘the fellowship of the mystery,’ which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:9

If there were no Triune God, then there is no purpose and we might as well close the Book. But, in Ephesians we know that God the Father has His will; that God the Son has done a great work on earth at the Cross; and that God the Holy Spirit has set His seal to it (Eph. 1:13. Without this foundation and charter, there would be no dispensation concerning “the mystery.”

Do all things happen by chance?

No! God has a purpose, and that purpose is “in Christ” as seen here in Ephesians 1: 3-14

Ephesians 1:3 Members of the body blest. In Christ. With every blessing that is spiritual. In the heavenlies. ^“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)

Ephesians 1:4 Members of the body chosen. In Christ. From before the overthrow. Holy and blameless. “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:” Ephesians 1:4 (KJV)

Ephesians 1:5 Members adopted. By Christ. No longer children, but placed as sons. Responsibility. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)

Ephesians 1:6 Members accepted. In the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:7 Members redeemed. By blood of Christ. Sins forgiven. Abundance of grace.

Ephesians 1:10 Members have a Head. Christ Head of all things. Heaven and earth. This the mystery of His will. Made know in all wisdom and prudence.

Ephesians 1:11 Members have an inheritance. In Christ. Predestinated according to foreknowledge. He does all things after the counsel of His own will.

Ephesians 1:12 Members are to the praise of His glory. They trusted in Christ. The word of truth. The gospel of the salvation of the mystery.

Ephesians 1:13 Members sealed. In Christ. By that spirit that was promised (Eph. 1:13), the new nature. Agent, the Holy Spirit Himself (Eph 4:30)

Upon believing One should then meditate upon these things.

• In mind, go back to the original creation when all was created perfect and the earth was created to be inhabited (not in chaos). Then the overthrow of Lucifer (Heb. katabole) brought chaos.

Thus it was until the day that there was a restoration and man was put on the scene to carry out the purpose of God had before the overthrow.

• All then centers upon “the Seed of woman” (Gen. 3:15), “which Seed is Christ” (Gal. 3:16).

From that point on we have a continuous revelation or unveiling of “the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4). That mystery is not completed by the revelation of His kingship and Lordship over the nations of the earth (Rev. 19).

• God’s ultimate purpose is only completed when it becomes known that Jesus Christ is made “the HEAD of all things in heaven and earth” (Eph. 1:10) and that a name is given to Him that is “above every name.”

This is why we can confidently say that GOD’S PURPOSE WAS and IS “IN CHRIST.” Christ is the One who did and does the will and work so God’s purpose can be realized.

• His first work was the creation of heaven and earth (Gen. 1:1).
• His last work is the new creation, not only of the whole universe, but also seen by the resurrected new creation that Paul calls “the church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a)

In looking over the above outline, one notes that this great purpose in Christ cannot be finished till that “day of redemption,” the resurrection, has come. Thus we are;

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJV)
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory.” Colossians 3:4 (KJV)

Those who are resurrected to “appear with Him” are those that were chosen, redeemed, and Sealed. There is no life, grace, or blessing, outside of Christ.

The insurmountable difficulties brought up by the heresies of Arminianism and Calvinism are easily dispelled by recognizing that God does NOT work by chance, but by His foreknowledge (Rom. 8:29).

Example:

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; ¹⁸ Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? ¹⁹ For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:17-19

There are many blasphemies in the world today which deny Christ, and in so doing they deny the Father.

To honor the Son is to honor the Father.

Portions adapted from Oscar M. Baker (Volume 56 No. 7 originally published in TFT, March 1972)