Ephesians Part 03

In verse 5 Paul unfolds one of the most astonishing truths of the gospel:

“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” 

The word adoption here carries deep meaning.  

In Greek, huios refers to a natural son, while thesis conveys the idea of placing or positioning someone in the role of a son (such as through adoption). By nature, we were not born into God’s family. We began under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, separated from Him in our self-will. But through conviction, commitment, courage and conversion, God welcomes us into His household. Adoption signifies full acceptance into His family, granting us all the privileges of children by birth. This specific term is never applied to Jesus Christ, because He alone is the true and natural Son. Yet, by grace, God has chosen to place us alongside His Son, making us heirs with Him. 

Paul reminds us that this adoption comes with a down payment—the gift of the Holy Spirit—that enables the transformation of our character. By the Spirit’s power, we are being shaped into the image of God, just as Genesis 1:26 declared: 

“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” 

This is not only a physical likeness but carries the potential of a spiritual transformation. Romans 8:14–16 tells us, 

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God . . . the Spirit . . . bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” 

Likewise, John marvels in his first letter: 

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). 

This adoption is not symbolic but real—we are being remade as God’s children, learning to set aside our self-will in order to live by His will.  

In Ephesians 1:6, Paul exalts the grace of God that makes all of this possible, “to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” We are not accepted because of our merit, but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Paul explains in Romans 5:6, 

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Acceptance into God’s family is not earned but granted, sealed by the blood of His Son. Only the blood of Christ could accomplish such redemption. 

This thought continues in Ephesians 1:7, “

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 

Redemption means ransom—Christ’s blood was the price paid to release us from bondage to sin and death. Hebrews 2:10 describes Jesus as the One who brought “many sons to glory” through suffering, and Peter explains that we were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver or gold, “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19). Forgiveness comes only by blood. God’s grace—expressed in mercy, forgiveness, and patience—makes this possible as we repent and change. 

In Ephesians 1:8–9 Paul describes this as the unfolding of a mystery, “which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” 

God’s will, hidden from the world, is now revealed to His people. What is this mystery? That God intends to share eternity with His children. It is His plan and His delight, devised before creation, to build a family of sons and daughters in His image. The mystery reveals answers to life’s greatest questions—why are we here, what is our purpose, and what is our destiny? The answer is this: we are invited to be part of the family of God. 

Finally, in verse 11 Paul speaks of the inheritance and the predetermination once again: 

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” 

To be predestined here does not mean that God has already determined each individual’s fate apart from choice. Rather, it means God has predetermined the method by which salvation is accomplished. He established beforehand that redemption would come through Christ, and that those who answer His call would be adopted as His children. This is not about being saved or lost without our consent; it is about the pathway God set in place. God’s purpose is certain, His will unchanging, but within that purpose, He calls us to choose to embrace His grace and walk in His will. 

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.