Ephesians 1:11 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:

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

Ephesians 3:9 And 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

If there be no triune God, then there is no purpose and we might as well close the Book. But, in this section, we know that God as Father has a will; that God as the Son has done a great work; and that God as the Holy Spirit has set His seal to it. 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 meditate on 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 put on the scene to carry out the purpose of God made before the overthrow.
• All centers in “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).
• That 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 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 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)