Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love

Ephesians 1:4

 

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. More than just accepting the Lord Jesus as Saviour

a) Many reduce the meaning of being a Christian to believing in the Lord Jesus
b) It is, of course, important that we receive the Lord as Saviour

i) We then become sons of God John 1:12
ii) This is a right the Lord Jesus extends to all believers

2. The doctrine of being “Chosen”

a) We often think of our choosing the Lord

i) This is true in a sense
ii) We can speak of choosing to believe in the Lord as Saviour

b) A greater concept taught

i) That God chose us in Christ
ii) This choice was made before the foundation of the world

c) This is a great and profound truth

i) It is beyond human comprehension
ii) It is nevertheless true that God chose us

d) God choosing us does not mean that we do not need to choose to believe!

Both truths exist! But far grander is the thought that God chose us!

3. What was God’s plan in choosing us?

a) He chose us to be “holy”

i) This is because He Himself is holy
ii) It stands to reason that we should be like God for we are His children

b) He chose us to be blameless

i) This emphasizes our part
ii) We must seek to be blameless in all that we have been entrusted with

4. Why did God choose us?

a) He chose us out of Love
(Recall the recent series of messages from Titus 3:4-7)

b) He chose us because of His great love for us (John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-11)

 

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. The doctrine of being “Chosen”

a) It is a profound truth
b) It is a powerful truth that should move us deeply

2. The Challenge

a) To be holy
b) To be blameless

3. Responding effectively

a) Let us be deeply moved and challenged to serve the Lord blamelessly.
b) Let us desire to live as people who are committed to being holy and consecrated to the Lord!

 

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan