The first fourteen verses of Ephesians 1 in the Greek language are one long sentence. They contain one of the most glorious yet “controversial” words in all of Scriptures, predestinated. Unfortunately, this word has been improperly conveyed in a fatalistic sense, leaving some to believe that God simply created people as fuel for the fires of hell. That is the doctrine of double predestination. It’s not true. The bible clearly states that hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), and that God is not willing that any man should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
However, there can be no doubt that the bible also teaches the doctrine of divine election. This term is used to describe Jesus Himself (Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 2:6), the nation of Israel (Isaiah 45:4), angels (1 Timothy 5:21) and all believers in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2; Colossians 3:12).
The gospel was put into place before the universe was created (Ephesians 1:4), thus being a God-centered, not man-centered message. The gospel of Jesus Christ is “to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein, He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6). “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let Him glory in The Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). So does that mean that you are either elect or simply put, out of luck? Absolutely not! While it is true that we are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, it is equally true that man is responsible to either believe in Christ or remain lost (John 3:14-17).
So how would one know whether or not he or she is one of the elect? The apostle Paul would say, “…through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-39). “Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
