Chosen, Redeemed, and Alive in Christ - Ephesians 1:4-5
Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) – “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
Introduction
I invite you today to reflect on a powerful truth: You are chosen, redeemed, and alive in Christ. These are not just theological terms; they describe a living relationship with the Almighty God. Today, as we explore these truths in light of Scripture, I pray that God will speak to each one of us—revealing how His love, grace, and purpose have shaped our very existence. Our past no longer defines us; our life is found in Christ!
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians, reminds us that God chose us before the foundation of the world. Let’s dive deeper into this passage and other Scriptures to grasp the fullness of God’s calling on our lives and the power of being transformed by the truth.
1. Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World
Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
Before the world began, God had already set His love upon you. The word “chose” here comes from the Greek ??????µa? (eklegomai), meaning "to pick out" or "to select." This wasn’t some random selection; God deliberately chose you to be His own. He knew your flaws, failures, and imperfections, yet He still chose you to be holy and blameless in His sight.
The key point here is that you were not chosen because of your merit but because of God’s love and grace. He adopted you into His family through Christ. This is echoed in Romans 8:29 (NLT): “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
Imagine a father who sees a child playing alone at an orphanage. Despite knowing the challenges that lie ahead, he chooses that child—out of love, not duty. God, in His infinite love, chose us not because we were perfect but because He is perfect.
Let this truth fill you with confidence. You are not an afterthought; you are God’s beloved child. Live in the knowledge that you are chosen to be part of His eternal family. Your identity is found in this truth, not in your past or present struggles.
2. Redeemed by Faith, Not Works
Philippians 3:9 (NLT) declares, “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”
The righteousness we have is not of our own doing but is found in Christ alone. The Greek word for righteousness, d??a??s??? (dikaiosune), refers to a state of being right with God. We often try to earn our righteousness through good deeds, religious acts, or moral behaviour, but Paul makes it clear that our righteousness comes solely through faith in Christ.
This truth is reinforced in Romans 3:23-24 (NLT): “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”
Consider the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. When he returned home after wasting his inheritance, he expected to be treated as a servant. Instead, his father ran to him, embraced him, and restored him to full sonship. That’s the kind of grace we receive through Christ!
Stop striving to earn God’s favour. Instead, rest in the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. We are redeemed not because of our own actions but because of Christ’s sacrifice. He has done the work; we simply need to trust Him.
3. The Old Life is Gone—Alive in Christ
Romans 6:6 (NLT) tells us, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” The word “crucified” here is s?sta???? (sustauroo), meaning to be crucified together with someone. When we place our faith in Christ, our old sinful nature is put to death alongside Him.
But not only is our old self crucified, we are made alive in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NLT) says, “Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.” His love compels us to live differently because the old has gone, and the new has come.
Paul elaborates in Colossians 3:1 (NLT): “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand.” Our lives are now hidden in Christ, and we are called to live with an eternal perspective.
Is there an area of your life where you are still living as though the old self has control? Take heart—through Christ’s crucifixion, the power of sin is broken. You have been raised to new life, and your new identity is rooted in Him. Live each day with the reality that you are alive in Christ.
4. Walking Daily in Christ
As believers, our transformation doesn’t end at salvation; we must walk daily in Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) instructs us: “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
The Greek word for “follow” here is pe??pat?? (peripateo), which literally means “to walk around.” This implies that following Christ is not a one-time event; it’s a daily journey of walking with Him, letting our roots grow deep.
Jesus Himself uses a powerful analogy in John 15:5 (NLT): “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” We are connected to Him, and without abiding in Christ, we cannot bear the fruit He desires for our lives.
Think of a tree. The deeper its roots grow, the more stable and fruitful it becomes. When we allow our lives to be rooted in Christ, we draw nourishment from Him and become fruitful in every aspect of our lives.
Ask yourself, “Am I deeply rooted in Christ?” Abiding in Christ is more than just going to church on Sundays; it’s about cultivating an ongoing relationship with Him through prayer, study of the Word, and obedience to His voice.
5. United in Christ as One Body
We are not meant to walk this journey alone. Romans 12:5 (NLT) declares, “So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” As members of Christ’s body, we are interconnected and called to support one another. The Greek word for "belong" is µ???? (melos), which means a part or member. Each of us plays a unique role in God’s kingdom.
Paul emphasises this unity in Ephesians 4:3 (NLT): “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” We are called to love, encourage, and build one another up, so that together we can fulfil the mission God has given us.
Take time to connect with your fellow believers. We are stronger together, and God has placed us in community so that we can grow in faith and support each other on this journey.
Conclusion: Chosen, Redeemed, and Alive
Church, remember this: you are chosen, redeemed, and alive in Christ. Your old life is gone, and you have a new identity in Him. Walk in that truth daily, knowing that God has a purpose and plan for your life.
Call to Action: Live in the Light of Your Identity
I encourage you today—live in the light of your new identity. If there are areas where you are still holding on to the old self, surrender them to Christ. Let His transformative power work in you.
For those of you who have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus, I invite you now. John 3:16 (NLT) says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is calling you today to be part of His family, to experience the freedom and joy of new life in Him.
Invitation to Faith in Jesus
If you’re ready to take that step, pray with me: “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge my need for You. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Come into my life and make me new. Amen.”
