“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-12
God wants us to understand that His love and grace are not random or reactionary. They are intentional and purposeful! He wants us to see that there is no real safety apart from His eternal promise of security for those in Christ. All other security is fleeting and fragile. The security found in Jesus Christ is the unshakable rock of eternal love.
In his commentary on Ephesians, Sinclair Ferguson writes:
“Ephesians 1:11 may be the strongest and most comprehensive statement about God’s absolute sovereignty in the whole of the Bible. He is the one who works all things according to the counsel of his will. The events of history and even of our individual lives are never outside his will and purpose.”
This verse shows us that, in Christ, God has given us an inheritance that secures our future for eternity. If God is sovereign and reigning over all things, then we can actually take comfort – even when things feel out of control to us. We can take comfort even when we face things that are overwhelming or challenging – that diagnosis, that phone call, that nagging problem that won’t go away. It is comforting because God sees what we can’t see, knows what we don’t know, and works in history to reveal His purpose. This verse takes us deeper into the Gospel. If you are in Christ, you have placed your faith in the One who is never surprised, never caught off guard, and never out of control.
The cross of Christ is the ultimate example of this. What appeared to be the worst possible circumstance for the people of God and the mission of God, as the Son of God is executed on a cross, seemingly powerless to stand against the evil of man, is, in fact, the greatest demonstration of God’s love, grace, and power! Jesus died in our place. He bore the sins of the world.
Yet, He is not defeated by death but triumphed over sin and death through the power of the resurrection.
What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good.
What appeared as defeat was revealed as a victory. And not just a victory, but an overwhelming victory!
What appeared out of control was the sovereign plan of God unfolding according to the purpose of his will.
The question is: will we trust him?
With our limited view of history, our circumstances, and even today… will we believe and trust that God is in control?
Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
