Our Common Destiny

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.Ephesians1:3-4

What an awesome thought! Our heavenly Father had you and me (if you are a believer) in mind when he created the world. Our destiny from the very beginning was to be holy and blameless in the Father’s sight. But wait a minute…I have sinned! I don’t know about you but I am not holy and blameless! How can this be? How can weak, limited, mortal humans mess up the plans of almighty, all-knowing, immortal God?

The answer is, “We can’t!” That’s why the apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says that God chose us “in him” before the creation of the world. God knew we would sin even before it happened, and in His infinite wisdom put in place his plan to redeem his chosen ones by sending his Son into that fallen world. The only way anyone can be holy and blameless in the Father’s sight is to be “in Christ,” clothed in his righteousness.

When, in due time, Christ appeared he revealed God’s plan, formerly shrouded in mystery, to his chosen people. He told his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last…” John 15:16.

This meditation has been about the common destiny of all God’s people…in love he predestined us to become his children. But our destiny does not end there. My next meditation will be about fruit bearing. God demonstrates the exquisite diversity of his creative power as he prepares each of his children for their very own unique destiny.