“In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:5-6).
The word “predestined” literally means “marked out beforehand.” It is simply another way of expressing the wonderful truth that God’s plan for His people is from all eternity. The plan is to establish a people for Himself and He has determined to accomplish that end by “the adoption of children through Jesus to Himself.”
Men were created in God’s image and thus designed for life in fellowship with their creator. Because of sin, that privilege was forfeited. But by God’s grace in and through Christ, restoration to sonship was again made possible. This experience of restoration can be described as “new birth” from above as in John 3 or as adoption (cf. Rom. 8:15 and Gal. 4:5). New birth emphasizes the divine origin and adoption emphasizes the gracious choice. The adopted child is given his/her standing in the family, not by right, but by grace. Both are true and serve to show the multi-faceted nature of our sonship.
The adoption of sons was made possible by what the redemption God accomplished in Christ on the cross (7) and thus requires man’s response to the gospel of salvation. What is predestined beforehand is the plan of God for the adoption of sons through Christ.
Don’t miss the marvelous truth contained in the phrase “according to the kind intention of His will.” God’s kindness speaks of His sovereign love which was caused Him to send His only Son to purchase the redemption of sinful man. That should lead us to praise the glory of His grace which He has freely bestowed on us in Christ, His Beloved Son.
Prayer: Thank you for adopting me as Your child in Christ, Your beloved Son. Amen.