"… having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:5).
Why does God give grace to some and not others? Is He arbitrary, capricious, or whimsical? This is the conclusion many draw when they hear the doctrine of election. But this is not the conclusion of Scripture. The first chapter of Ephesians clearly tells us why God chooses some to life and not others: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world … according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace.… according to the riches of His grace … according to His good pleasure.” Paul labored the point that the reason God chose some to life and not others is so that His good and gracious purpose might stand, bringing honor and glory to His Son.
Clearly, God is not arbitrary. An arbitrary person is someone who does something for no reason; they do it on a whim. Are we going to attribute this kind of vicious behavior to God? Certainly not! The reason you are chosen by God in no way rests in you, but this does not mean that God has based His decision on no reason at all. The reason rests in Himself and the “counsel of His own will.” The word counsel suggests an intelligent reason for acting. God’s choice is rooted in His perfect wisdom, which is rational and good.
Paul also says that God chose us in Him according to His “purpose.” Here again we have God acting according to reason, not arbitrarily. The purposes of God’s election are to make manifest the riches of His grace, to reveal something about His marvelous character, in particular, His mercy. The other purpose is to honor Christ, that the travail of His soul would be satisfied. God determined from the foundation of the world that the Cross of Christ would yield its appointed fruit, that He would receive His inheritance—the church. When the New Testament speaks of election, it speaks of us being elected in Christ. It is, therefore, to honor and glorify Him.
Lastly, Paul speaks of the “good pleasure” of God’s will. This pleasure should never be equated with hedonistic pleasure, i.e. “I did it because I liked it.” The connotations of this kind of pleasure-seeking are evil. But God’s pleasure is “good.” His counsel is good, His purpose is good, and above all His pleasure in election is good.
While we certainly should be comforted by God’s control over all things, our ultimate comfort is in His goodness and love. An evil being can be sovereign, but God is not evil or arbitrary. Meditate on the goodness of God today. Praise Him for showing you His grace.
