We are chosen by God simply because we are loved by God.

In the previous post on The Good Things We Have In Christ, we said that understanding and experiencing these truths is foundational to our faith and to walking in the way of Jesus. The first “good thing” Paul names in Ephesians 1 is this: we are loved and chosen.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 

(Ephesians 1:4)

This is the first breathtaking blessing of being united to Christ. And from this verse we can draw four rich truths:

1. We are chosen ‘in Christ’

Notice the order. We are not first chosen and then placed in Christ. We are counted as chosen because we are in Christ. This is not about God selecting a few individuals and excluding the rest. We are chosen because we are in Christ. Just as Israelites in the Old Testament belonged to God’s chosen people by natural birth, so we belong to his chosen people in the New Testament by spiritual birth (see John 1:12). We are included in Christ by God’s grace, received through faith (Ephesians 1:13). And because we are now part of God’s people, the Old Testament language about Israel applies to us: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God. His treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Let that sink in. God treasures you! He enjoys and delights in his people!

2. This has always been God’s plan

Paul says this choice was made “before the world began.” In other words, this is no accident, no afterthought. From eternity, God’s plan has been to gather a people from every nation, united to his Son.

That means your life in Christ is not random or meaningless. You are part of God’s greater, eternal purpose—a purpose centred on Jesus himself (see v.11). So don’t be swayed by the call of our culture to “follow your dream” or “make your own way.” The better truth is this: you are already caught up in God’s dream, his eternal plan. Celebrate it. Cooperate with it. Live in the light of that dream.

3. We are chosen for a purpose

The verse we are considering tells us that we are chosen for a purpose: ‘to be holy and blameless’. This is more than moral respectability. Holiness means sharing in God’s very own quality, his set-apartness, his beauty.

The Church, as God’s chosen people, is called to reflect what he is like. This is how the world comes to see his glory — through a people who bear his likeness. This is what it means to bring praise and glory to him (see v.12).. We are chosen not just for ourselves but for the sake of the world. As Peter says, we are a chosen people, called ‘to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light‘ (see 1 Peter 2:9-12). We are chosen in order to be sent.

When the Church lives this out—holy, distinct, radiant—others catch a glimpse of what God is really like. And they give glory to him (1 Peter 2:12).

4. Why does god choose us?

So far, we have focused on the second of the two words in our title and verse – chosen. The first of the two words tells us why we were chosen – we are loved. Israel was chosen, not because of their strength or size, but simply because of God’s love (see Deuteronomy 7:7-8). The same is true for us. The New Testament reminds us that God does not choose according to worldly standards of power, wisdom, or status. In fact, he often chooses the weak and despised to show the world gets it completely wrong in what it considers important (see 1 Cor.1:26-31). This is liberating. We don’t need to measure ourselves by the world’s categories of success or approval. We belong to God’s people not because of anything in us, but simply because he loves us.

To be loved and chosen in Christ is not a dry doctrine but a living reality. It gives us security (we are treasured), meaning (we are part of God’s plan), purpose (we are called to holiness), and freedom (we are chosen simply because of love).

Questions for reflection and discussion

1. How does it make you feel to know that you are part of God’s chosen people, his treasured possession?
2. Why is it important to know that the good things God does for us are not ‘accidental’ and don’t ‘just happen?’
3. What difference should it make to our lives knowing that, despite being nothing special in the eyes of the world, we have been chosen to show the world what God is like?

Putting it Into Practice

Hopefully, you realised that at the end of each of the four reflections above, I suggested the difference these truths should make to us. Let’s consider what difference these truths make as we take further steps in the way of Jesus:

1. Reflect on and rejoice in the truth that, as part of God’s people, you are his treasured possession.
2. Consider what it means for you in practice to co-operate with God’s plan rather than just follow your dream
3. Take seriously the call to live differently. What does living a holy life, in keeping with being part of God’s holy people, look like for you now?
4. Stop wondering and worrying about what people around you think of you, and simply enjoy the fact that you are loved and chosen by God.

Further Resources

See the books and other resources mentioned on The Good Things 1 post here.