Eph_1:4 - God's Children Should Walk In Righteousness
20. Ephesians 1:4 - God's Children Should Walk In Righteousness
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." - Ephesians 1:4 As we examine this portion of Scripture we find the verse is really self-explanatory. The Christian has been chosen to do something and that something is to lead a righteous life as a testimony. The last part of the verse clarifies this:
"...that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." This is in perfect accordance with God's Word and is substantiated by Ephesians 2:10. In Ephesians 2:8-9 we are told about salvation:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Now God's will for us after we are saved, as set forth in Ephesians 2:8-9, is revealed in Ephesians 2:10 :
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." In order to make Ephesians 1:4 support "election to salvation" one would have to do away with the last part of this verse. But when you compare Scripture with Scripture concerning the same subject, they will always complement one another. Just as Ephesians 2:10 complements Ephesians 1:4.
Very simply, God's will, even before the foundation of the world, was that every Christian should walk the Christian life. To use this verse to support God's choosing only some to be saved would contradict other portions of His Word. For example, if we say that Ephesians 1:4 is supportive of electing some to be saved, we find it would not agree with John 1:7; John 1:12 :
"The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (7) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (12) You see Paul admonished young Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to...
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
If one simply seeks the truth of God's Word, they will always gather the Scriptures that speak concerning a certain subject and compare them. When they agree and complement each other, then you have the proper interpretation and correct doctrine. The doctrine of "election to salvation" cannot be supported by Ephesians 1:4, as this verse and Ephesians 2:10 are complimentary--revealing God's will, before ordained, that His children should walk in righteousness.