Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:3-4).
Notice where God gives His gifts: He “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). Look carefully at God’s way of choosing us: “He chose us in Him.” (Ephesians 1:4).
Whom does God choose? The real answer is, “Christ!” He is the “Seed” to whom all God’s plans, promises and choices point.18 Isaiah foresees Jesus as “the Chosen One” (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:18). At the holy mountain, the Father speaks directly,
“This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to him!” (Luke 9:35).
“He was foreknown before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20).
How can God choose anyone else? Righteous God cannot choose sinners to live with Him.19 Even Israelites are steeped in sins, all of them.20 God finds only one Israelite faultless and truly worthy.21 Psalm 45 shows that this Chosen One is God Himself, that is, God the Son.
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” (Hebrews 1:8-9, quoting Psalm 45:6-7).
The “Anointed One” (“Messiah” or “Christ”) is the divine King! He is the focal point of all Scripture, and the ultimate focus of all “choice” or “election” in Scripture. God chooses His Son. In so doing, God also chooses those “in Him,” or as John says, “with Him.”
They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).
18. Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:8,16,29
19. 1 John 1:5; Psalms 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13
20. Acts 7:51; Romans 2:17-24; 3:1-18; 10:21; Exodus 9:1-29; Isaiah 64:6