Those saved by God were chosen by God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ^{Ephesians 1:4-7}

The mystery of election is clearly presented here. God, in his sovereign authority and will, chose those to forgive, justify, and adopt as his sons and daughters. He made these choices to the pleasure of his will before the beginning of time. We who are the Elect have been spiritually blessed beyond comprehension. We are accepted, redeemed, and forgiven by God as Jesus has paid the penalty of death for our sin. God has revealed this truth to us so that we may know the plan of salvation.

Almighty God is sovereign and in control of all things.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ^{Ephesians 1:12}

Nothing can thwart God’s will. He works everything to accomplish his will.

Salvation cannot be lost.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  ^{Ephesians 1:13}

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ^{Ephesians 1:19-20}

In contrast to the reality of God’s sovereignty, those who hear the gospel of Jesus – the good news of salvation – and believe in and make Jesus their Lord are saved from God’s wrath, a salvation that can never be lost. This is the mystery that is beyond man’s ability to comprehend: that God chooses some for salvation, a gift to those who believe. Are there souls chosen by God who do not believe? I think so, as this is a validation of authentic free will. But what about those not chosen? This conundrum is not ours to understand, so there’s no need to worry about it. Be eternally grateful if you are a child of God and pray hard for the lost.

Spiritually Dead in the world, then made alive by the mercy and grace of God.

And you hath he quickened (brought to life), who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ^{Ephesians 2:1-7}

Those who believe are spritiaully brought to life to enjoy our inheritance in Heaven. We were filthy and unrighteous but now we have been justified and sanctified to experience the “exceeding riches” of God’s grace toward us.

Saved only by the grace of God (Sola Gratia)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  ^{Ephesians 2:8-10}

False doctrine teaches that man earns his salvation by doing good and following the rules, rituals, and traditions of religion. These are the souls who will be devastated when they land in hell because they did not submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our good works, but saved to do good works.

The fullness of God in us.

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. ^{Ephesians 3:16-21}

For effectual faith, we are spiritually strengthened for Christ to live in our hearts so that we may grasp the incomprehensible magnitude of his love for us.  By his love, we live a life that is pleasing to God, and his divine nature is present and matured in our character. If so, then God will shower us with blessings that are beyond our needs and expectations. God is good, and by his response to our love (obedience), he is glorified.

Strive to walk worthy of our holy charge and station

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  ^{Ephesians 4:1-3}

A worthy walk is living in a manner that pleases God. Below are four critical characteristics of the worthy walk presented in these verses. These are the characteristics that foster unity of the body of Christ in a bond of peace:

• Lowliness – total humility
• Meekness – quiet, willing submission to God and others. It is power under control, not weakness.
• Longsuffering – a long-restrained temper, patience. An attitude that does not give in to negative circumstances. An endurance to be humble and meek in tough situations and with tough people. An acceptance of God’s plan, our lot, and the people in our lives.
• Forbearing Love – This is the act of loving one another when it is extremely hard to do; this is tolerance. This is a selfless love for those who may be your enemy. Forbearing love is a dramatic fruit of the Spirit of God.

Love one another.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. ^{Ephesians 4:32-5:2}

Paul tells us to walk (in daily conduct and lifestyle) in love, patterning our lives after Christ, who loved us to the point of ultimate sacrifice for us. Being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving is the conduct of the children of God.

Walk in light.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) ^{Ephesians 5:8-9}

Live in the light of Jesus (truth, understanding, morality, and righteousness). Be a transformed Christian, no longer living in darkness, enabled by the Holy Spirit who works in us to manifest the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Have no fellowship with the sin and immorality of the world.

Live in the wisdom of God’s will.

See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ^{Ephesians 5:15-17}

Walk in wisdom, which is to live in accordance with the will of God. Make the most of your time here on earth, exploit opportunities to glorify God and advance his kingdom.

Prepare for spiritual battle.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.  ^{Ephesians 6:10-18}

Be strong in the “power of his might” of our Lord and put on the “whole armor of God” because our spiritual struggle is with a powerful adversary. Our battle is with the unholy evil of the world that Satan controls. With this “armor” we are ready to withstand, endure, and triumph over his temptations and deception. This is a fight for our minds.

In these verses, the tools of a Roman soldier are analogous to the attributes of our resources to defeat Satan:

• Truth (belt)– A correct attitude to fight the battle – sincerity, commitment, no hypocrisy. Discipline and a commitment to win!
• Righteousness (breastplate) – This speaks of practical righteousness, which is our persistent effort to be as righteous as we can be. Our desire is to be like Christ in how we live and to deal with our failures by confession and repentance. Seek to live a holy life.
• Gospel of peace (shoes)– Though we were weak, unjust, and at enmity with God, we were justified by faith. We now have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ. We rest in that truth and are bold in the battle because our feet are firmly rooted in our confidence in God.

The following below overarch the first three:

• Faith – (shield) This is a life believing in God. All of Satan’s temptations are lies; we do not believe him, but instead the truth of God.  In faith, we are confident we will win the war. In faith, we strive to win each battle.
• Salvation – (helmet) Salvation has three dimensions – past, present, and future. We have been saved (justification & reconciliation), we are being saved (sanctification), we will be saved (glorification). This speaks of our future salvation; we are sure of our glorification. We will be made completely righteous, we will reap glorious rewards, we will finish this test, and we will be victorious. We have an inevitable, incredible future (inheritance), so we fight the fight in this life. Our helmet of salvation protects us from discouragement and doubt from Satan. Of all that has been given to Jesus, he will lose not even one.
• The word of God (sword) – the “sword’ of the spirit. The bible is infallible in total, inerrant in part, complete, authoritative, sufficient, effective (transformative), divine, and determinative. It is the source of truth, happiness, growth, power, guidance, comfort, and perfection. The bible is our source of victory over the enemy. But it is useless if we do not know it!
• Prayer – Pray for the saints to win this battle. Pray continually for one another’s needs. Pray in harmony with the Spirit of God.