The text clearly states that the Father gave a subset of men, out of the world, to Jesus Christ. These are those who have received and kept God's Word and firmly believed, trusting in the person and work of Christ. According to Ephesians 1:4-6, these men were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, that they should be holy and without blame … in love, He predestined us to adoption as sons. All of this was not done with reference to any conditions that man might fulfill, but was done entirely for the good pleasure of God. Because of His great kindness and to the glory of His grace, He foreknew you and gave you to the Son as a bride. In spite of yourself, in spite of your stubborn pride and unbelieving heart, He chose to have mercy upon you so that by His doing (1 Cor 1:30), you might have fellowship with God. By this eternal decree, vessels of mercy were prepared for glory (Rom 9:23) and were ordained unto eternal life (Acts 13:48). If you are a Christian, it is ultimately because God resolved to have mercy upon you, not because of any decision you came to (see also John 1:12-13, Matt 11:27, John 6:37, 39, 44, 63-65).
The New Covenant in Christ's blood seals and atones for your sin, as well as that of all of the men given Him out of the world. Christ's blood then makes us fit objects of that love, by saving us from wrath and making us holy. |
