Part 6 of 31 from "Christ our Righteousness".
By Carl Oluf Rosenius.
(1816-1868)
Translated from ekris.net
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world . . .” Ephesians 1:4.
The selection of us, therefore, doesn’t rest on anything in us ourselves. Before we were born – before the sky and the earth were created – yes, before the foundation of the world was laid, God chose us to be his children and heirs.
It has to be clear, then, that he didn’t look at anything in us, but entirely at Christ alone. Even if our sin was a thousand times greater, still, it couldn’t destroy this selection and prevent our salvation in Christ. This foundation of salvation is so firm and certain, that neither our sin and our heart’s wickedness nor the fury of the devil are able to weaken it.
Even though your sin is heavy and severe on the scales, still what God has done weighs a thousand times more. If you think that your conversion, your remorse and prayer adds anything, then you arrive too late. God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world. In Christ – not in you or me or anybody else. With Christ God has balanced our account, and in Christ he is a reconciled God for all sinners.
Before anybody were able to pray to him for anything or persuade him to do anything by his regret and improvement, he chose us. He did it because, ´He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace`.
Our salvation is still God’s own work, just like the whole universe is his work.
----------------------------------------
Translation Gert Gravgaard.
