“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
(Ephesians 1:11)
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians opens with a cascade of praise for God’s eternal plan, declaring that He “chose us in him before the foundation of the world … according to the good pleasure of his will [which he purposed in himself] to the praise of the glory of his grace” (Eph. 1:3-6). And then he reinforces this truth, stating, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, that we should be to the praise of his glory” (vv. 11-12).
The doctrine of predestination, though shrouded in divine mystery, reveals God’s sovereign will to save His people, orchestrated with infinite wisdom before time began. As Fulgentius describes, it is “a preparation of the works of God, which in his eternal counsel he decreed to do to show his mercy or his justice.”[1]
This doctrine unveils three profound truths: God chose His people before creation to share in His inheritance, purposed this plan within Himself for His pleasure, and designed it to glorify His grace. Before sin marred the world, God envisioned our redemption, including each believer in His eternal counsel.
This staggering reality—that we were in God’s heart before the foundation of the world—anchors our faith and fuels our worship. His decrees, unchangeable and perfect, ensure that every detail of redemption unfolds according to His will (Phil. 1:6).
Contemplations:
- Perfect in Yourself. You are in every way perfect and complete in Yourself, Lord. You need nothing that any creature can do, for You do in Your own good pleasure that which You will as You see all things perfectly.
- Counsel of the Trinity. Lord, Your counsel pertains to the whole Godhead. It is an action of the whole and holy Trinity, deliberating and determining before the beginning of time all things what should be or should not be; especially regarding the salvation of men (Eph. 1:11). It is a wonder to know that You work all things after the counsel of Your own will.
- Christ our mediator. You elected us in Christ Jesus Your Son based on Your grace, and You did so before You even created man. Because the enmity between Your justice and our sins was such that no flesh by itself could approach You, it moved You that the Son of God should descend to us and take Himself a body of our body, flesh of our flesh, and bones of our bones. In so doing, Christ became the perfect Mediator between You and us; giving power to as many as believe in Him, to be the sons of God, as He Himself witnesses. “I ascend to my Father and Your Father, to my God and Your God.” What a holy union, that we would gain back what we lost in Adam and have it restored to us through Christ.
- Sovereign over all. David assures us that our God who is in the heavens “does whatsoever he will,” and Paul says that God works “all things according to the counsel of his own will.” Justin Martyr, with Saint Augustine said that God’s will is “the cause of all things.” There is no confusion He cannot order, no wisdom He cannot frustrate, no weakness He cannot enable. Nothing is so high that it is above His command, nothing so low that it is beneath His providence.
Prayer (Adoration)
O sovereign and eternal God, You are the fountain of all glory, whose will ordains all things with perfect wisdom and unchanging purpose. Your decrees, formed before time began, reveal Your infinite love and grace, choosing us in Christ to share Your inheritance. I worship You for Your unsearchable counsel, which works all things for Your pleasure and the praise of Your glory. Your Son, Jesus, the Mediator of Your covenant, restores what was lost, uniting us to You as sons and daughters. I stand in awe of Your majesty, needing nothing yet giving everything through Your grace.
I confess that I have often failed to honor Your sovereign will. My heart has questioned Your purposes, seeking my own plans over Yours. I have doubted Your wisdom, leaning on my own understanding instead of trusting Your eternal counsel. Forgive me for these sins, for diminishing the glory of Your predestinating grace. Cleanse me through Christ’s blood, renewing my heart to adore Your perfect will.
Lord, I plead for grace to live in awe of Your divine purpose. Deepen my reverence for Your Trinity’s eternal counsel, that I may trust Your will in all things. Fill me with gratitude for Christ’s mediation, through which I am adopted into Your family. Help me rest in Your sovereign plan, knowing You work all things for my good and Your glory. Guard my heart from self-reliance, and sustain me with Your Spirit until I see You in eternal glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Ephesians 1:11:
Heb. 6:17; Rom. 8:28, 9:11; Titus 2:14.
[1] Andrew Willet, Hexapla, (London: Cantrell Legge, printer to the University of Cambridge, 1611), 382.
