Chosen to Be Holy

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Short Summary
The discourse explores the central theme of being chosen “in Christ” before the foundation of the world, emphasizing salvation and holiness through Jesus as revealed in Ephesians and other scriptures. It highlights God’s attributes—wisdom, power, justice, and love—in designing a divine plan for mankind’s salvation, calling believers to live holy lives set apart for God. Ultimately, the goal for the faithful is to glorify God and participate in Christ’s kingdom, reflecting the sacrificial life and spiritual inheritance promised to those who follow Jesus.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Ephesians 1:4 and Related Scriptures

Key Scripture Focus:
The discourse centers on Ephesians 1:4:
*“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.”*
This verse highlights God’s eternal purpose in choosing believers “in Christ” before the world’s foundation, emphasizing holiness and blamelessness in love.

“In Christ” as a Key Biblical Concept:
– The phrase “in Christ” or “in Him” appears over 20 times in Ephesians and more than 70 times in the New Testament.
– It underscores that all salvation, blessing, and hope are centered in Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.
– Acts 4:12 is cited:
*“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”*
– This establishes Jesus as the exclusive means of salvation.

Background of the Epistle to the Ephesians:
– Written by Apostle Paul during his imprisonment in Rome near the end of his life.
– Paul had spent nearly three years ministering in Ephesus, becoming closely acquainted with the Ephesian church.
– Brother Russell comments that Ephesus was one of the most flourishing early Christian congregations, justifying Paul’s lengthy stay.
– The epistle contains profound spiritual instruction and encouragement for believers.

Reading of Ephesians 1:3-6 (paraphrased):
– God the Father of Jesus Christ blesses believers with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
– God chose believers “in Him” before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love.
– God predestinated them for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, according to His will’s good pleasure.
– Believers are accepted in “the beloved” (Christ).

Clarification on Jesus’ Identity:
– Jesus is the Son of God, distinct from God the Father.
– The Greek word “Christ” (Christos) means “Anointed One.”
– Jesus received the anointing of the Holy Spirit at His baptism and was spiritually perfected at His resurrection, receiving a spiritual body.

Meaning of “Chosen Before the Foundation of the World”:
– God’s plan and selection of believers is eternal, pre-dating creation.
– This relates to the hope of resurrection and transformation into the likeness of Christ’s resurrection body for faithful believers.

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-23):
– Paul gives thanks for their faith and love.
– He prays for wisdom, revelation, and enlightenment in their understanding of God’s calling and inheritance.
– He describes the “exceeding greatness” of God’s power demonstrated in Christ’s resurrection and exaltation above all powers.
– Christ is head over all, and the church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all.

Hope of Adoption and Glorification (Romans 8:14-19):
– Those led by God’s Spirit are His children and heirs, joint heirs with Christ.
– Suffering with Christ is necessary to be glorified with Him.
– Future glory is incomparable to present sufferings.
– The whole creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God.

The Mystery of God’s Plan (Colossians 1:26-27):
– The mystery hidden for ages is now revealed: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
– This hope is incomprehensible to the world but made known to the saints.

Attributes of God Demonstrated in the Plan of Salvation:
1. Wisdom:
– God’s omniscient and wise planning is unfathomable (Job 12:13).
– Wisdom confidently guides all creation toward good results.
2. Power:
– God acts with strength, self-control, and perseverance (Isaiah 45:22-23).
– Every knee will bow to Him.
3. Justice:
– Man’s sinfulness requires satisfying God’s justice.
– Christ’s sacrifice is the atonement (Romans 3:23-26).
– God justifies believers through faith in Jesus’ blood.
4. Love:
– God’s essential nature is love (1 John 4:8, 16).
– God demonstrated love by Christ dying for sinners (Romans 5:8).
– Love is the motivating force behind the plan.

Summary of God’s Four Chief Attributes in Salvation:
– Wisdom devised the plan.
– Power carries it out.
– Justice ensures the law’s demands are met through Christ.
– Love motivates and sustains the entire plan.

God’s Choice of the Church (1 Corinthians 1:26-31):
– God chooses the weak and foolish things to confound the wise and mighty.
– Believers in Christ become God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
– “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

The Call to Holiness:
– The Greek word “hagios” means “holy,” set apart for God, consecrated from sin.
– Christians are called to live holy lives through Jesus Christ.
– 1 Peter 1:13-16 exhorts believers to be holy as God is holy.
– Holiness is perfect moral conduct, reflecting God’s nature.
– While perfect holiness is unattainable in this life, new creatures (believers) represent God’s righteousness and should manifest fruits of the Spirit: meekness, gentleness, patience, brotherly kindness, love, etc.
– Holiness includes conduct, thoughts, words, and deeds.

The Church as God’s Chosen “Little Flock”:
– Believers are the spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16, 29).
– They are heirs according to the promise given to Abraham’s seed, Christ.
– Faithful believers are promised to reign with Christ (Revelation 3:21).
– The church will dispense “the sure mercies of David” during Christ’s kingdom (Isaiah 55:1-3).
– The call is to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, responding to God’s drawing.

Distinction Between Natural Israel and Spiritual Israel:
– Not all physical descendants of Israel are God’s children (Romans 9:6-9).
– The “children of promise” are counted as Abraham’s true seed.
– The call during the gospel age goes to the spiritual seed, typified by Isaac and Sarah.

The Covenant of Sacrifice and the Church’s Mission:
– Psalm 50:5 calls God’s saints to gather, those who have made a covenant by sacrifice.
– The church’s life is one of sacrificial dedication, following Jesus’ example.
– The ultimate purpose of this calling is not self-glory but to glorify God the Father.
– Christians should aim to honor God in all they do, reflecting Jesus’ earthly life.

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Key Bible Verses Cited:

– Ephesians 1:3-6: Blessings, election, adoption, and being holy in love.
– Acts 4:12: Salvation only in Jesus Christ.
– Ephesians 1:15-23: Prayer for wisdom and knowledge of God’s power.
– Romans 8:14-19: Adoption as children of God and future glory.
– Colossians 1:26-27: The mystery of Christ in believers.
– Job 12:13: God’s wisdom and power.
– Isaiah 45:22-23: God’s supremacy and power.
– Romans 3:23-26: Sin, justification, and atonement through Christ.
– 1 John 4:8,16; Romans 5:8: God’s love demonstrated.
– 1 Corinthians 1:26-31: God’s choice of the weak and foolish.
– 1 Peter 1:13-16: Call to holiness.
– Galatians 3:16,29: Believers as Abraham’s seed.
– Revelation 3:21: Promise to overcomers to sit with Christ.
– Isaiah 55:1-3: Invitation to spiritual nourishment and covenant.
– Romans 9:6-9: True children of promise.
– Psalm 50:5: Call to God’s covenant people.

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Summary Conclusion:
The discourse explores the profound biblical theme that God chose believers “in Christ” before creation to be holy and blameless in love, highlighting the divine attributes of wisdom, power, justice, and love in God’s eternal plan of salvation. It emphasizes the exclusive and central role of Jesus Christ, the call to holiness, the identity of the church as God’s chosen spiritual seed, and the ultimate purpose to glorify God the Father through sacrificial living, following Christ’s example. The hope of resurrection and reigning with Christ is a glorious future for those faithful in the present gospel age.

Transcript

Our assignment this afternoon comes to from the first portion of Ephesians 1:4, where it says, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy. That’s the first part of the Scripture and the second part, and without blame before him in love, as that’s the second part of that verse, and I thought just for a moment we might make note of the scriptural reference found throughout Ephesians. The phrase in Christ or in him as found in verse four. It’s a keynote phrase in Christ or its equivalence occurring more than 20 times in Ephesians and over 70 times throughout the New Testament Testament Gospels.

It suggests to us that everything is centered or in or through Christ our Lord, the Anointed One. All hope of salvation is only through him. Or as the Scriptures tell us In Acts the fourth chapter, verse 12, it says, neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The Epistle to the brethren in Ephesus was written by Paul towards the end of his life as a prisoner in Rome under house arrest. Earlier in his ministry he had spent over almost three years in Ephesus.

In the expanded comments, Brother Russell he tells us, we’re told that it’s supposed that it was during this day at Ephesus that congregations were started in a nearby place is mentioned in revelation as the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, and that’s from reprint 3157. The apostle Paul had become apparently more intimately acquainted with the Ephesus Church than with any of the others. Apparently it was one of the most flourishing of them all. He had, by the Lord’s providence, spent more time with them than and evidently the results procured justified the prolonged stay. It was from his Roman prison that the Apostle Paul wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians, one of the most beautiful of all his letters to the churches, full of deep spiritual instruction, end of quote from Brother Russell’s writings.

So we would like to read the first few opening introductory scriptures that Paul wrote to the Ephesians to get a sense of what Paul is writing about. Starting in verse 3, it says Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Accordingly, 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, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Now what I really like in verse three, the plain statement that says blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You notice the clear statement that Jesus is not God, but rather His Son as the Also the word Christ or Christos is a Greek word introduced into our English language but not translated into it. Its meaning is anointed comes from the meaning of that word from we’ll refer that a little bit here. Later our Lord Jesus became the Christ the Anointed. When he received the anointing of the Holy Spirit at his baptism he was perfected, or rather received his spiritual body at his resurrection. We Note in verse 4 what it says.

Accordingly, he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. Now I thought this was a wonderful scripture to consider because there is a lot going on. What does it mean chosen in him before the foundation of the world? The Scriptures later in this first chapter, Ephesians bear out the wonderful hope we have in the resurrection. Faith in his resurrection gives us a wonderful hope that if found faithful when our change comes, we might also be in the likeness of his resurrection.

It says, Beginning in verse 15 of Ephesians chapter 1, the apostle Paul says there, wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding be enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance, and in the saints. Then continuing in verse 19 it says, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us Ward, who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might and dominion, in every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. End of quote this wonderful hope to be associated with our risen Lord Jesus as body members as his inheritance in the saints to reign with him is further described In Romans the eighth chapter and reading from verses 14 through 19 it says there, for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption, where we cry, abba, Father, the Spirit itself bears witness with our Spirit, that we are the children of God and if children, then heirs heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.

If so, be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

And then future glory it says in verse 18 for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. But most don’t understand this wonderful plan of God, a chosen generation to reign with our Lord Jesus. It’s a mystery to most that has been hid until the proper time, but that time was purposed before the foundation of the world as our keynote. Scripture in Ephesians 1:4 says accordingly, as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.

Colossians 1:26 27 further confirms this, where it says, even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints, to whom God would make known what is the riches of his glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. You notice this mystery is incomprehensible to the world, but is made manifest to his saints when we consider all that our loving heavenly Father has arranged and provided through his dear Son Jesus. I’m mindful of the scriptures in Romans 11:33 and 34 that tells us, oh, the depths of the riches of both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out for who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counselor? When we consider the chief attributes of God of wisdom, power, justice, and love, we soon realize that only a merciful and loving Creator could have designed such a plan to bring all the humanity back into harmony with Him. We think of wisdom.

This attribute of God may be defined as the confident and hopeful use of his omniscience, knowledge of all things in order to secure good results. In Job 12:13 it says, of this quality to God belong wisdom and power counsel and understanding are his. When I think of the word omniscience, God’s wisdom is unfathomable guiding his creation and plans flawlessly. It was his intent from before all of creation to design such a plan. The second attribute of power as an attribute of God’s character.

This quality may be defined as his strength or will in which he acts with self control and perseverance in furthering his plans and purposes. In Isaiah the 45th chapter, verse 22 and 23, it says, Turn to me and be saved all you ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none other. By myself have I sworn. My mouth has uttered in all, in all integrity a word that will not be revoked. Before me every knee shall bow.

By me every tongue will swear, and then his third attribute of justice. God’s righteous demands cannot be met by fallen man. So he provided Christ as a sin offering to satisfy his justice. In Romans 3:23 26 it says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed before hand unpunished, and did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time so as to be just, and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus, all the resurrected world of mankind and the kingdom will eventually have to recognize and look to him as their Savior if they desire to live on in the ages to come, as we referenced in our study earlier today, and then the fourth attribute of love that’s so important that this is God’s crowning attribute for God is love. As we’re told in 1st John 4:16, love is not just an action, but God’s essential nature.

God is love. From First John 4. 8, God demonstrates His own love for us in this, as we’re told in Romans 5:8. But God commandeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. There’s no better way to appreciate God’s four chief attributes than by understanding of his divine plan of salvation for mankind.

Wisdom developed a plan for man’s salvation. Power carries the plan for man’s part. Wisdom developed the plan for man’s salvation. Power carries out that plan to a successful completion. Justice ensures that God’s perfect law, which governs all of his free moral agents, will eventually become universal, and only through Christ is that possible.

And finally, love has been and continues to be the moving force behind that plan. We see this keynote feature of God’s plan revealed in the scripture, found in 1 Corinthians the first chapter, verses 26 through 31, where it says, for ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things in the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised. Hath God chosen yea, and things which are not to bring to naught things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence, but of him. Are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God has made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and justifies, and redemption, that accordingly, as it is written, he that glorieth, and let him glory in the Lord and then another keynote feature in Ephesians 1:4, says that we should be holy. Holy.

What does it mean? What does it mean to be holy? In the New Testament, being holy hagios means being part being set apart by God for God, and from the common or sinful to live a life consecrated to him through our Lord Jesus. Only through him is it possible for us to have a standing with God. The Scriptures tell us we are called to be holy.

It says in first Peter, the first chapter, verse 13 and 14, wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust in your ignorance.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy. Here are a few comments on 1st Peter 1:15 from Brother Russell’s writings. He says but about verse 15 but as he which hath called you holy, walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. In 1st Thessalonians 2:12 it says, you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness, and then in first Peter 2:9, it says is holy is from the Greek word hagios, perfect that which is whole, that which is complete, lacking nothing so be ye holy, let your will be perfect.

Nothing less is acceptable to him. God is speaking to the new creature. The Gospel church. Absolute holiness is a standard which our minds can gladly and fully endorse and live up to, but to which we can never attain. Actually in Our fallen human nature.

Holiness is the standard of perfection. This will be the standard before all the world of mankind in the thousand year reign of Christ. In the present life, the new creature is representative of God and his righteousness and should seek to walk in accord therewith. Put away all anger, malice, envy, hatred and strife, and put on instead the fruits and graces of the Lord’s Holy Spirit of meekness and gentleness, patience, long suffering, brotherly kindness and love. Conversation in all your conduct is what that word really entails.

Let your conversation be holy. It has a broad meaning. It relates to all of our conduct with respect to others, our thoughts, words and deeds. So these are just a few thoughts from brother Russell’s writings on that word, and we realize that throughout this gospel age God has been calling those individuals with the right heart, attitude, those with repentant hearts, to become members of a little flock, the church class, to become one of the living stones that will be used in the assembly of God’s temple in the kingdom.

How do we know this? It says in Galatians 3:16, and also in verse 29. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds as of many, but as of one and to thy seed, which is Christ, and if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

And that promise was, that in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. We are told that if we are faithful overcomers in this age, we will be granted the privilege of sitting on the throne with Christ our Lord, as we’re told in Revelation 3:21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am sat down with my Father and his throne. These scriptures are telling us that the church class will have a share in the inheritance that has been made sure to our Lord. The church under his leadership will be dispensing the sure mercies of David to all in the coming kingdom.

We think In Isaiah the 55th chapter, this picture is made clear. It tells us there, starting at verse one. Ho, everyone that’s thirstest, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye buy and eat. Yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money? For that which is not bread, and your labour is for that which satisfieth not. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness, incline your ear, and come unto me herein your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you. Even the sure mercies of David. Here believers of this gospel age are described as those who hunger and thirst after the gospel light of truth and righteousness under the Father’s drawing power, they come to Jesus.

Now. Conversely, those that now love darkness rather than light under the evil influences of Satan’s power need the kingdom and its corrections to bring them into harmony with God. Even natural Israel held out these wonderful promises in Isaiah. Even natural Israel held that these promises in Isaiah were exclusive to them. But the apostle Paul correctly points out to us in Romans 9, 6, 9, for they are not all Israel which are Israel, neither, because they are the seed of Abraham.

Are they all children but Isaac, shall thy seed be called. That is they which are the children of the flesh. These are not the children of God, but the children of promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise. As this time will I come, for at this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.

It says in Isaac, shall thy seed be called. This is not only referring to our Lord Jesus, but to the hungry, thirsty and hearing believers now during this gospel age. To them the Lord offers the fatness or cream of the everlasting covenant. It was through Sarah, the antitypical Isaac class, that the call has gone out throughout this gospel age. It’s the call found in Psalm 50, verse 5, where it says, gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

And this prophecy is being fulfilled now. It’s the call of the church during this gospel age, those following in the footsteps of Jesus, a sacrificial life leading to glory, honor and immortality. Now you might ask, why would you, as you read that verse, gather my saints together to me, that those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. What’s the important part of what is the purpose of our life in being associated with our Lord Jesus? What do you think the most important thing is?

And so. Oh, I want to. I want to sit on the throne with my Lord Jesus. I deserve to be there. No, that’s not the reason.

It’s to glorify his Father in heaven, and that should be our ultimate goal in everything that we do in our lives is bring glory and honor to our Father in heaven, and that’s exactly what our Lord Jesus did in his earthly life, and we should attempt to follow in the footsteps of our dear Master.

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