October 19

Ephesians 1:4
“He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” — Ephesians 1:44According 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: (Ephesians 1:4).
It is a striking fact, often overlooked by zealous controversialists that, in Scripture, no one is ever said to be elected or predestinated to go to heaven. Nor of course, are people ever said to be predestinated to be lost, or reprobated before birth to eternal ruin. On the contrary we who are saved are said to be chosen beforehand unto holiness and blamelessness before God, and predestinated to become like Christ the first-born of many brethren, This is blessed indeed. It should be a comfort and an encouragement, when conscious of weakness and failure, to know that I am yet to be wholly conformed to the image of God’s Son. No power on earth or in hell can hinder the completion of God’s purpose of grace.
“O Lamb of God, we thank Thee,
We bless Thy holy name!
Thy love once made Thee willing
To bear our sin and shame.
And now Thy love is waiting
Thy saints like Thee to raise;
Firstborn of many brethren,
To Thee be all the praise.”