In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:11-14

When Paul first entered Ephesus, he spent his time first in the synagogue and then in the hall of Tyrannus where he argued “persuasively about the kingdom of God.” So when we read the verses above, we learn how this worked out in the lives of those in Ephesus.

What does Paul mean when he describes the Ephesians as predestined? One view is a form of determinism indicating that God who is in control of His plan of redemption so that every detail of the human experience is without any amount of freedom. Another view is that in His plan, God “allows humanity some autonomy, to make choices and be responsible for them. And God’s plan is to save all who will believe.”

I lean toward the second option and with that I notice three things in the verses above:

• The individuals of what would become the church in Ephesus, “heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Paul expressed this thought to the Romans writing, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17)
• They believed in Him. Again the tenth chapter of Romans helps build on this foundation. “For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10: 11-13).
• Third, the Ephesians were “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” Remember that the first twelve hearers in Ephesus had only heard of John’s baptism upon Paul’s arrival, but once they heard the Gospel of Christ, the were baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:4-7)

Like the Ephesians before us, we look forward to the inheritance promised by the Gospel of Christ – the abundant life here and for eternity.