THE MYSTERY WAS PREDESTINED

Take a close look at those first three chapters of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The "mystery" that I pointed out in yesterday's post - the fact that God was combining both Jews and Gentiles to create one new humanity (2:15) reconciled to God through the cross - this "mystery" is the central thread. 

It is Paul's main point and the context for understanding every sub point Paul makes in the first half of the letter. 

This includes the talk of being "chosen" and "predestined" in 1:4,5 -

"He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."

And 1:11,12 -

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory." 

If you look closely at the context of these verses, it is clear Paul is making a point in relation to the "mystery" of Gentile inclusion with the Jews: This was always part of God's plan.

Paul wants his audience to know that this newly revealed mystery is not some spur-of-the-moment whim on God's part. 

This was predestined. Trust Him. He knows what He is doing.