He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. — EPHESIANS 1:4
Paul was not looking for Jesus; on the contrary, he was going to persecute Jesus’ church. Christ showed Paul grace without him asking for it. God chose Paul for His glory, and then redeemed him, even though Paul was actively attacking His people.
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Looking at this verse, we learn who makes the determinative choice in salvation. Man is not the one making the decision, but God. While this can be hard to swallow, it is what the word of God says—we must submit to its teaching. Remember that man cannot choose God because man is dead in his sin (Eph. 2:1). He also does not seek God (Rom. 3:11). Instead, he uses his will to sin against this holy God. But God, being rich in mercy, shines the light of the gospel into the hearts of His chosen ones and saves those whom He has chosen.
Consider the conversions of Lydia and Paul. Speaking of Lydia, Acts 16:14 states, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Lydia did not respond to an altar call or invite Jesus into her heart, but rather responded because God had chosen her and opened her heart. Concerning Paul, Jesus declared that “he is a chosen instrument of mine” (Acts 9:15). Paul was not looking for Jesus; on the contrary, he was going to persecute Jesus’ church. Christ showed Paul grace without him asking for it. God chose Paul for His glory, and then redeemed him, even though Paul was actively attacking His people.
Recognize, then, the sovereignty of God in salvation. Your salvation is secure not because you chose God, but because He chose you. Rejoice in and be humbled by His kindness toward you.