Ephesians 1:4

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (NIV)

This verse links to the preceding verse since it is really all one sentence. The adverb used in the text that is translated for is better translated as, according as or just as since Paul seems to be conveying one thought in this one sentence that we in most English versions have dissected into separate sentences. In linking this verse to the previous one Paul goes on to further establish the security of the blessings for which we should praise God. He gives further assurance to his readers by saying the blessings that you have and are being blessed with which are in heavenly places are as sure as your election in Christ before the foundation of the world. Just as you have been chosen in Christ, you have been given blessed with spiritual blessings in Christ. As if he was saying that the same power by which God chose you is the same power by which he has given you these blessings. By the same person that the Father has chosen you is by the same person that the Father has blessed you. It does not get anymore sure and secure than that.

Our election was not unto corruption, but rather onto holiness and blamelessness. We were election to form the body of Christ in eternity God set time in order. Not only before creation, but before the foundation of creation. A literal translation of the passage gives a light moment for those with simplistic thinking like mine. It reads that we were chosen in Him before the disruption of (the) system/world. Before God did anything that we can conceive as humans, we were chosen. Before eternity was disrupted and time came with the declaration of day and night we were chosen. We were chosen by God in Christ to be holy and blameless.

Peter declares that we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9) As much as I have often times struggled with the election aspect of my salvation I am humbled that I am chosen by God. Peters utterances when read with the understanding of Paul’s Ephesians passage brings us to recognize that we were not chosen at any point when this world was operating, but we were a chosen to be royal priests and a holy, set apart people before time. We are called into holiness, blamelessness and into an atmosphere of adoration of the God of our faith and deliverance.