Doctrine

Chosen – Justice and Freedom (Part 2)

Pastor Tan Thai · Jul 8, 2018

Ephesians 1:3Ephesians 1:4-6Ephesians 1:11Ephesians 2:1-3Ephesians 2:8-9Ephesians 6:19Ezekiel 33:112 Peter 3:91 Timothy 2:4Deuteronomy 30:19Deuteronomy 7:6-7Deuteronomy 32:10Joshua 24:15John 6:37John 15:16John 3:27Matthew 5:44-45Matthew 11:28Matthew 28:19-201 Peter 1:1-2Acts 1:8Acts 13:48Romans 1:16Romans 8:1-4Romans 8:6-7Romans 8:28-30Romans 10:13-151 Corinthians 1:26-311 Corinthians 8:1-31 Corinthians 13:9-131 Corinthians 15:9-102 Corinthians 5:14-15Psalm 51:5Hebrews 11:36-38Philemon 1:6Isaiah 52:7-8

This sermon explores the doctrine of predestination and divine election through Ephesians, addressing the question of whether God chooses us or we choose God. The pastor presents three simultaneous biblical truths: God desires all to be saved, humans have free will, and God has predestined certain individuals for salvation solely by love and grace.

This is the second sermon in a series on Ephesians 1, focusing on the spiritual blessing of being 'chosen by God' (verses 4-6, 11). The pastor explains that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world—not because of any quality in us, but solely by His love and grace. Understanding this doctrinal foundation in Ephesians 1-3 is essential for living out the practical applications found in chapters 4-6.

Scripture teaches three simultaneous truths about salvation: (1) God desires all people to be saved (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4); (2) humans have free will (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; John 6:37); (3) God has predestined and chosen certain individuals for salvation (John 15:16; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Acts 13:48). The order of salvation in Romans 8:28-30 is: foreknowledge → calling → justification → glorification. Because of inherited sinful nature from Adam and Eve, humans by default do not want to choose God; only when the Holy Spirit moves within those whom God has chosen can a person believe and receive Christ.

The pastor raises and addresses three major questions. First, is it fair for God to choose only some? Grace and justice are entirely different concepts: grace is an undeserved gift, while justice means treating all by the same standard. God gives common grace to everyone (sunlight, rain, talent, beauty) and saving grace to those He has chosen. Notably, those God often chooses are the weak, despised, and lowly in the world's eyes (1 Corinthians 1:27-28), as illustrated by the fact that ethnic minority believers in Vietnam's highlands make up approximately 25% of all Vietnamese Christians while representing less than 2% of the total population.

Second, if God has already chosen, where is human free will? Humans still have freedom, but because of their sinful nature, they do not want to choose God. It is not that they cannot—they simply will not. Those whom God has chosen and called will turn against their fleshly nature to receive Christ, finding joy and peace in Him. Third, if God has predetermined who will be saved, why evangelize? Four reasons are given: it is Christ's command (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8); it is an expression of gratitude motivated by Christ's love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15); it is an honor to be used by God; and sharing the gospel is itself the means through which faith grows (Romans 1:16).

The sermon concludes with a warning that arguing over the doctrine of predestination can reflect intellectual pride. Since our knowledge is only partial (1 Corinthians 13:9-12), believers should discuss doctrine with humility and love rather than dogmatic extremism, especially on secondary issues. The greatest thing remains love.