In Ephesians 1:7, Paul speaks of the beloved, Jesus Christ, in whom we have redemption. In Christ, we find redemption. The soul of man needs rescuing from the bondage of sin. Through the blood of Christ, there is restoration, recovery, and deliverance for the soul. Through the blood of Jesus, redemption brought the forgiveness of sins, a divinely preordained path of salvation rooted in the richness of His grace. “…wherein He has bestowed upon us all wisdom and prudence…” Ephesians 1:8. This was no coincidence or afterthought; it was a deliberate plan from the mind of our Creator, carried out with perfect wisdom and intention. Every aspect of this grace-filled plan reflects God’s supreme intelligence to ensure salvation for humanity’s future. God entrusted the work of proclaiming His wisdom to the Apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:9 that God has revealed to us the mystery of His will. In Ephesians 3:2-5, he references earlier writings that point to this mystery, once hidden but now uncovered by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets. This revelation enables everyone to have knowledge of God’s eternal plan of redemption. Further in Ephesians 1:9-10, Paul explains that, in the fullness of time, God will unite all things in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. In Ephesians 3:6-11, Paul explains how Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and participants in the promise through Christ and the Gospel. The church is called to grasp the vast wisdom of God, which goes beyond human understanding. This wisdom originates from God’s mind and fits perfectly with His eternal plan, accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord. Out of His good pleasure and will, God has included the Gentiles as part of the church, His body.
“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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:11-12
The Jews were not predestined to receive this inheritance simply because they were God’s chosen people, they had a responsibility to trust in Christ, making a decision to rely on Him for salvation.
Paul speaks to the Gentile converts in a similar way, Ephesians 1:13. In whom you also trusted, in whom you also placed your hope, trust, and reliance on Jesus Christ. When? Not because they were predestined and forced, but after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after believing, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit… V14, …which is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
We have the freedom to choose salvation. Individuals are not predestined to salvation or damnation without any choice of their own. The Grace of GOD provides man with a choice. Paul teaches that Jew and Gentile are fellow heirs of the promise. This unity is based on obedience. Paul teaches that Jews must trust in Christ and circumcise their hearts. For the Gentile the availability of salvation was not a guarantee of it; they, too, must trust in Christ and obey the Gospel. Salvation is available to all, but each person must make their own choice. Those predestined for salvation are those who trust in the saving work of Christ, responding accordingly to the conditions set forth by GOD.
Prospering Pathway 
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