Chosen in Him
A Sermon on Being Chosen by God from Ephesians 1:4
Originally preached Nov. 14, 1954
Scripture
4According 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:
Sermon Description
The doctrine of election requires a reverent approach and the listener is on holy ground concerning this topic. Christians have often done great injustice in an argumentative style. From this sermon on being chosen by God from Ephesians 1:4 titled “Chosen in Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores this crucial doctrine, and like the apostle Paul, he simply states this doctrine without arguing for it. The Bible is uninterested in giving a philosophical explanation and, according to Romans 9, reproves the Christian when they begin to argue against God’s sovereign choice in election. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores this doctrine throughout Scripture, including John 6, 15, 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; and 1 Peter 1:2. It is wise, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, to look to authorities in church history, great Christian theologians, evangelists, and preachers who have held fast to God’s sovereign choice. Even with his strong defense of the Reformed position, he asks if one is saved by their position on this important question. Happily Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers, “no.” But, he argues, there is great comfort, security, and joy bound up with knowing God has set His love upon His children before the foundation of the world.
Sermon Breakdown
- The words to focus on are 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 is connected to the previous verse which says we have been blessed with spiritual blessings.
- The apostle Paul explains how we obtain these spiritual blessings. He starts with the work of the Father (verses 4-6), then the Son (verses 7-12), then the Spirit (verses 13-14).
- There are two possible interpretations of this verse:
- God chose us by His own will, not because of anything in us.
- God chose us because He foresaw that we would believe in Jesus.
- We should approach this verse with reverence, not argumentatively. It is about God's truth, not just Paul's opinion.
- Our human understanding is limited, so we won't fully understand this deep truth. We need God's Spirit to help us grasp it.
- The Bible states this truth but doesn't argue for it or fully explain it. It rebukes us for arguing against God due to our lack of understanding.
- Many other Bible passages teach the same truth, directly or indirectly, like John 6, 15, 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 2.
- This doctrine shows the depth of our sin and need for grace. Man never would have come up with it on our own.
- This truth does not negate evangelism. God ordained both election and evangelism. Many who believed in election were great evangelists and missionaries.
- Your view on this doctrine does not determine your salvation, but it does impact your understanding and security in God.
- This truth brings comfort in God's sovereignty, love, and eternal plan of salvation. Our security is in His grace, not our own decisions.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Election and Predestination: Questions and Answers
What does "chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world" mean according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the phrase from Ephesians 1:4 means that God chose believers for salvation before time began, out of His own good pleasure and mercy, not based on anything He foresaw in them. Lloyd-Jones states: "What Paul is teaching here is this, that God, moved by nothing in us at all, but solely by his own grace and love and mercy, has chosen unto salvation those who are saved." This is the foundational explanation for how Christians come to enjoy spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe election comes before faith in salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes election precedes faith because Scripture consistently presents this order. He cites 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, which states that God "hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth." He emphasizes that we are "not chosen and separated because you believe it, but that you may believe it." This understanding is reinforced by the doctrine of regeneration, which teaches that we need a new nature before we can understand or receive spiritual truths.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones respond to those who argue that predestination negates evangelism?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones responds that this objection misunderstands God's purposes. He states: "This has nothing, of course, to do with evangelism... God has chosen to call out his elect people by means of evangelism and the preaching of the word." As evidence, he points out that history's greatest evangelists, including George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, and the founders of major missionary societies, were firm believers in divine election. Their belief in predestination actually fueled rather than hindered their evangelistic efforts.
What two interpretations of election does Dr. Lloyd-Jones present in his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents two possible interpretations of election: 1) That God chooses believers "out of his own good pleasure...apart from anything in us, apart from anything that we have ever done or said or thought," and despite our rebellious nature. 2) That God "chooses the Christian because the Christian has already chosen to be a Christian" - meaning God elects those whom He foresaw would exercise faith. Lloyd-Jones clearly favors the first interpretation as being consistent with Scripture.
What historical figures does Dr. Lloyd-Jones cite as holding to the Calvinist view of election?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides an impressive list of historical figures who held to the view that God elects people based solely on His sovereign choice: St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Zwingli, John Knox, the framers of the 39 Articles of the Church of England, the authors of the Westminster Confession, Puritan theologians like John Owen and Thomas Goodwin, evangelists George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He uses this list to show the historical weight behind this understanding.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest we should approach difficult doctrines like election?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that we should approach this doctrine with reverence and humility rather than argumentatively. He states: "This is not a question to be approached in an argumentative spirit, nor in a party spirit. It's never to be approached with heat or with a human dogmatism. It is a subject that is to be approached, I say, with reverence, with a sense of worship." He recommends examining it through personal experience, consulting historical authorities, and studying it within the context of the whole Scripture.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the doctrine of election is important even though it doesn't determine salvation?
While acknowledging that "you are not saved by the view you take on this question," Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists the doctrine matters greatly because it: 1) Upholds the sovereignty and glory of God, 2) Reveals the depth of God's love in choosing undeserving sinners, 3) Establishes the certainty of God's plan of salvation that doesn't depend on human choice, and 4) Provides profound personal security. He states: "I know of no doctrine that is so comforting as this doctrine. This is the thing that gives me security."
How does the Bible answer objections to the doctrine of election according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the Bible doesn't generally argue about this doctrine - it simply states it. More significantly, when objections are raised, Scripture rebukes the questioner rather than providing a full explanation. He references Romans 9, where Paul responds to the objector with: "Nay, but, o men, who art thou that repliest against God?" Lloyd-Jones explains that the Bible "doesn't give us full philosophical explanations" because these truths transcend human understanding.
What personal testimony does Dr. Lloyd-Jones share about election in his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares a powerful personal testimony about God's election in his life: "I'm standing in this pulpit not because of any decision I've ever taken. I've not decided for Christ...All I've done in my little life, as I look back across it and regret it, is to struggle against him and to try to avoid him and try not to do what he would have me do. I am conscious of his hand upon me...I am what I am because of him, and I give him all the credit and the glory."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect the doctrine of election to Christian assurance?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones sees the doctrine of election as the foundation of Christian assurance. He states that if our salvation depended on our decisions, "I would tremble in fear. But I thank God that I know that I am in his hand, that he who has started the work will go on with the work." This knowledge that God chose him before time and will not abandon His purpose gives him the confidence that nothing "shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.