For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  

Ephesians 1:4 – 10

I must keep in mind that Paul is writing this to all the believers in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks alike.  This must have been challenging news to the Jews who considered themselves spiritually superior to the Gentiles.  The Gentiles, on the other hand, were not drawn to associate with the Jews who lived among them in this great Greek city.  The walls came crashing down when Jesus saved both Jews and Greek and when the Holy Spirit welded them into a new humanity, followers of Jesus Christ.  This is the setting for this marvelous letter – to the Ephesians.

I find it almost impossible to believe that even before one star appeared in skies God chose both Jews and Greeks, and all mankind, for that matter to be in him, living holy and blameless in his sight.   This was the work of His amazing love.  I stand in awe.  The object of his love is to create a new family on the earth, sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.  That is US! 

As I was the son of the love that my father and mother had for one another, so I am in the family of Jesus because of his love!  It is, to my amazement, all love!  It is one-way love.  He loved us!  That is the bed rock of our faith.  He desired and did it!