Chosen by God

By Leslie Earwood

Who are those God has chosen before the world was created? How are they led by the Holy Spirit? How do our prayers compare with the prayer Jesus told his disciples to pray? Have we separated the bodily resurrection from the cross when we speak of the Gospel? These, and other provocative topics, are discussed by the author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512784206

Leslie Earwood

The author received his BA degree in Business and Economics and a MA in Biblical studies from Eastern New Mexico University. He received teaching credentials from California State University Los Angeles. He has served as a classroom teacher, school principal and Associate Superintendent for Human Resources for public schools in New Mexico. Additionally, he has served as CEO for Lakeview Christian Home in Carlsbad New Mexico. Mr. Earwood has also ministered to believers in Jesus as God's Son for over sixty. years. He currently lives in Belen, New Mexico with his wife, Dolores, for sixty two years and ministers for the Valley Church of Christ in Los Lunas, New Mexico.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 Leslie Earwood.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture translated to English from The New Testament in the Original Greek & The Greek New Testament.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 9781512784190 (sc)

ISBN: 9781512784213 (hc)

ISBN: 9781512784206 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017906447

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/21/2017

CONTENTS

Dedication

A Rendition of Ephesians 1

Introduction

Unpacking Ephesians 1

The Speech of God

The Chosen and Predestination

Freedom and the Blood of Christ

Passover with a Difference

Chosen for Adoption

Characteristics of the Chosen

Character Traits of Christ Shared by the Chosen

The Vine

The Holy Spirit

Role of the Holy Spirit

Prayer of the Chosen

Postscript

Bibliography

Dedication

This manuscript is dedicated to five lovely children, Candie, Randall, Cynthia, Rodney, and Robin, who did not choose their mother or father. Their mother and father chose them. As parents, we have watched each one grow into God-fearing productive adults using their unique talents to glorify our awesome Creator. God called. They responded.

A Rendition of Ephesians 1

Paul was a representative of God sent by King Jesus to serve by His good pleasure those He set apart and who trust in King Jesus. Grace and peace from God and Father of our Lord King Jesus.

Our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is honored. And He has given us that same honor as a gift by the Spirit’s guidance who came from the presence of God by King Jesus. God selected us before the worlds were created because He knew beforehand that we would trust in King Jesus. He chose us so that in His presence we would be set apart without blame in His love. God did that so we could be considered His sons and daughters through the life of Jesus the King, according to the intention of Jesus when He came to earth.

In Him, we have been ransomed (bought)¹ by the blood He shed (like the blood of the Passover lamb when God ransomed the Israelites). This removed all our transgressions according to the unbelievable grace by which He covered us like the mercy seat covered the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle.² This was to show us His wisdom and give us insight into the mystery of His purpose that He revealed in the King. It is a plan to unite (merge) all things in the heavens and on earth in Him.

This means that we have finally received the long-promised inheritance (the renewed earth) according to His purpose for creation since the beginning. The vision becomes apparent when God pushed the waters back so dry land could appear on which God placed mankind in the beginning. This is so that we can be the praise of His glory by representing Him by the way we live. The Holy Spirit is the seal of the inheritance and the guarantee of the inheritance until we take full possession of it, to His glorification.

God worked His might when He resurrected Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand above all principalities and authorities, above all earthly powers and dominions, above every name in this age as well as the ages to come. Everything has been put under His feet. He is the true head over all things, especially in the community of the chosen, which is His body the fullness of everything. It is He who fills everyone who wants to be filled with His love.

Introduction

I’m writing this monograph looking across a tranquil golf course and a beautiful Rio Grande valley and farther to a mesa and distant mountains. This view is an amazing gift of God and the epitome of peace on earth and goodwill to mankind. It