Chosen for Holiness: God's Eternal Purpose Revealed
Summary
In Ephesians 1:4, Paul reveals a profound truth about God's eternal plan for His people. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless before Him in love. This choice is not based on our actions but on God's sovereign will and purpose. It is a divine selection that transcends time, rooted in the eternal love and wisdom of God. The essence of this calling is holiness, a state of being that reflects God's own nature. Holiness is not merely an external adherence to moral standards but an inward purity and wholeness that aligns with God's character. It is a life lived in harmony with God's will, free from the blemish of sin.
The purpose of God's choosing is to restore what was lost in the Fall, to undo the works of the devil, and to bring us into a perfect relationship with Him. This relationship is characterized by love, the fulfilling of the law, and the essence of true holiness. Love is the opposite of enmity and hatred; it is the bond that unites us with God and with one another. In Christ, we are called to live in this love, to walk before God in purity and sincerity, and to delight in His presence.
This divine calling to holiness is not optional for the believer. It is the very purpose of our election and the goal of our salvation. Holiness is both the beginning and the end of the Christian life. It is not something we achieve on our own but is the work of God in us, transforming us into the image of Christ. As we grow in holiness, we reflect more of God's character and prepare ourselves for the eternal fellowship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- God's choice of us in Christ is rooted in His eternal purpose and love, not in our actions or merits. This divine election calls us to a life of holiness, reflecting God's own nature and character. Holiness is not just about moral behavior but an inward purity and wholeness that aligns with God's will. [02:38]
- The purpose of God's choosing is to restore what was lost in the Fall and to undo the works of the devil. This restoration brings us into a perfect relationship with God, characterized by love and holiness. Love is the essence of true holiness, the fulfilling of the law, and the bond that unites us with God and one another. [09:51]
- Holiness is both the beginning and the end of the Christian life. It is not optional but the very purpose of our election and the goal of our salvation. As we grow in holiness, we reflect more of God's character and prepare ourselves for eternal fellowship with Him. [21:45]
- The doctrine of election does not lead to antinomianism or a lax attitude towards sin. Instead, it is the greatest incentive to holiness, as it assures us of God's purpose and work in us. If we are truly chosen by God, we will pursue holiness and strive to live in a way that pleases Him. [44:00]
- Our relationship with God is the primary focus of salvation. It is not about happiness or moral improvement but about being reconciled to God and living in His presence. This relationship is characterized by holiness, love, and a desire to please God in all things. [36:58]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:4
[01:10] - God's Sovereign Choice
[02:38] - Chosen in Christ
[03:12] - The High Priestly Prayer
[05:02] - God's Primary Action
[06:27] - Purpose of Election
[07:55] - Undoing the Fall
[09:51] - Destroying the Works of the Devil
[10:24] - Holiness and Blamelessness
[12:00] - Inward and Outward Purity
[15:06] - Essential Purity and Wholeness
[17:24] - Before Him in Love
[21:45] - Walking with God
[28:34] - Love as the Fulfillment of the Law
[36:58] - Salvation and Relationship with God
[44:00] - The Incentive to Holiness
[48:05] - The Appeal of Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:4
- John 17:6
- 1 John 3:8
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 1:4, when did God choose us, and for what purpose? How does this choice relate to our holiness? [00:13]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that God's choice is not based on our actions. What does this imply about the nature of God's love and purpose for us? [02:38]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between holiness and love? What role does love play in our calling to be holy? [24:20]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's election and our pursuit of holiness? How does this challenge the idea of antinomianism? [44:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being chosen "before the foundation of the world" impact our understanding of God's sovereignty and our identity in Christ? [02:38]
2. The sermon emphasizes that holiness is not just about moral behavior but an inward purity. How does this understanding of holiness affect the way we live our daily lives? [12:00]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love is the essence of true holiness? How does this align with the biblical command to love God and our neighbors? [24:20]
4. How does the sermon address the potential misunderstanding of the doctrine of election leading to a lax attitude towards sin? What is the intended response of believers to this doctrine? [44:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways do you see evidence of God's choice and calling in your journey towards holiness? How can you align more closely with this calling? [02:38]
2. The sermon describes holiness as an inward purity. What specific areas of your life need transformation to reflect this inward purity? How can you begin this transformation process? [12:00]
3. Consider your relationships: How can you actively demonstrate love as the essence of holiness in your interactions with others this week? [24:20]
4. The sermon challenges the idea that election leads to a lax attitude towards sin. How can you ensure that your understanding of being chosen by God motivates you to pursue holiness more fervently? [44:00]
5. How does your relationship with God reflect the primary focus of your salvation? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship and live more fully in His presence? [36:58]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can the understanding of God's purpose for your holiness help you overcome this struggle? [44:00]
7. The sermon mentions that holiness is both the beginning and the end of the Christian life. How can you cultivate a daily practice that keeps holiness at the forefront of your spiritual journey? [21:45]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Eternal Choice and Our Holiness
God's choice of us in Christ is rooted in His eternal purpose and love, not in our actions or merits. This divine election calls us to a life of holiness, reflecting God's own nature and character. Holiness is not just about moral behavior but an inward purity and wholeness that aligns with God's will. This calling is a profound reminder that our relationship with God is not based on our achievements but on His sovereign will. As we embrace this truth, we are invited to live a life that mirrors His holiness, striving for purity and integrity in all aspects of our lives. [02:38]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to align more closely with God's holiness, and how can you take a step towards that today?
Day 2: Restoration Through Love and Holiness
The purpose of God's choosing is to restore what was lost in the Fall and to undo the works of the devil. This restoration brings us into a perfect relationship with God, characterized by love and holiness. Love is the essence of true holiness, the fulfilling of the law, and the bond that unites us with God and one another. In Christ, we are called to live in this love, to walk before God in purity and sincerity, and to delight in His presence. This divine love transforms us and enables us to reflect God's character in our relationships with others. [09:51]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today, and what specific action can you take to show them this love?
Day 3: Holiness as the Goal of Salvation
Holiness is both the beginning and the end of the Christian life. It is not optional but the very purpose of our election and the goal of our salvation. As we grow in holiness, we reflect more of God's character and prepare ourselves for eternal fellowship with Him. This journey of holiness is a transformative process, where God works in us to shape us into the image of Christ. It is a lifelong pursuit that requires our active participation and surrender to God's will. [21:45]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can actively pursue holiness this week, and what steps will you take to grow in that area?
Day 4: The Incentive to Holiness
The doctrine of election does not lead to antinomianism or a lax attitude towards sin. Instead, it is the greatest incentive to holiness, as it assures us of God's purpose and work in us. If we are truly chosen by God, we will pursue holiness and strive to live in a way that pleases Him. This assurance of being chosen by God motivates us to live a life that honors Him, knowing that He is at work within us to fulfill His purposes. [44:00]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: How does knowing that God is at work in you encourage you to pursue holiness, and what practical steps can you take to align your life with His will?
Day 5: Salvation and Relationship with God
Our relationship with God is the primary focus of salvation. It is not about happiness or moral improvement but about being reconciled to God and living in His presence. This relationship is characterized by holiness, love, and a desire to please God in all things. As we grow in our relationship with God, we experience the fullness of His love and grace, which transforms our lives and draws us closer to Him. [36:58]
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God this week, and how can you prioritize spending time in His presence?
Quotes
The purpose of God in Christ for his people is to undo, to remove, and to rectify completely the effects of sin and of the Fall. That is the object of God in Salvation: to entirely undo what resulted from the fall of men when he fell into sin at the suggestion of the devil. [00:07:55]
Holiness denotes a state of inward or internal Purity. Without Blame, without blemish, means an outward or an external condition of Purity. Holiness is the bigger term and the stronger term because it's concerned about the inward condition, but the outward condition is also important. [00:12:00]
Holiness is ultimately the essential attribute of God. God himself said, "Be ye holy, for I am Holy." We can't conceive of that, but we are given this kind of definition: God is light, and in him is no Darkness at all. Holiness is light; negatively, no Darkness. [00:16:04]
The result and the purpose of our calling and election is that we may walk with God, that we may not only be introduced and enter into conscious fellowship with God but that we may walk and abide in that Fellowship, walking as John puts it, in the light with God. [00:21:45]
The essence of Holiness is love. Listen to Paul putting that to the Romans in the 13th chapter in the 10th verse: he says this, "Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Ultimately, that is the essence of Law and of Holiness: love. [00:28:34]
Salvation means primarily, essentially, being in the right relationship with God, nothing less than that. Salvation must not be thought of primarily in terms of happiness, loss of worry, forgiveness only, or morality. First and foremost, salvation means relationship to God. [00:36:58]
Holiness is the beginning and the end of Salvation, and the whole of Salvation is designed to bring us to that end. Therefore, I say we must always start with Holiness as the scripture does, and therefore I say that the preaching of Holiness is an essential part of evangelism. [00:39:59]
Because we have been chosen to Holiness, those who are chosen, who have been chosen, must and will become holy. That's a tremendous statement, but it's of necessity true in the light of this statement of the Apostles. We are not chosen, says Paul, to the possibility of Holiness but to the realization of Holiness. [00:44:00]
The doctrine of God's choosing his own people in Christ, far from leading to what is called antinomianism, far from leading to a slackness and a looseness in life and living, is the greatest incentive of all to Holiness. [00:44:00]
If God has chosen you to Salvation, God will make you holy. If you will not be content to be led by God and to be drawn by his love because he's chosen you, he's got another way of making you holy. [00:44:00]
The more you realize this truth and believe it and understand it, the more you will give yourself and strive after Holiness. You'll pursue it, as the author of The epistle to the Hebrews puts it again, pursue, seek Holiness, he says, peace with all men and Holiness without which no men shall see the Lord. [00:48:05]
There is nothing that so promotes Holiness as this great Doctrine, this precious truth which tells us that because we are chosen of God, we are going to him, and we're going to be like him, and it's all pure and holy. God is light, and in him is no Darkness at all. [00:48:05]
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