Tag Archives: positional sanctification

The Believer’s Place in God’s Plan

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God’s plan for the believer begins with union with Christ. Paul structures Ephesians 1 around this controlling idea, expressed in the repeated phrases “in Him” (ἐν αὐτῷ) and “in Christ” (ἐν Χριστῷ), which define the sphere of every spiritual blessing. Election is therefore Christ-centered. Scripture identifies Christ as the chosen One, as Isaiah records, “My chosen one in whom My soul delights” (Isa. 42:1), and Peter affirms that He “is choice and precious in the sight of God” (1 Pet. 2:4). Believers, then, are elect only in relation to Christ. As Paul states, God “chose us in Him” (Eph. 1:4). The emphasis is not on isolated individuals, but on Christ as the Elect One and those who are united to Him by faith sharing in that election. According to Klein, “Christ is the Elect One; the church is elect by virtue of its incorporation in him. Before the foundation of the world God determined that those in Christ would be his people… The election here is corporate: God’s people in Christ.”[1]

Scripture first establishes that salvation is provided for all and received through faith alone in Christ alone (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:3–4; 1 John 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus “bore our sins in His body on the cross” (1 Pet. 2:24) and “died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). Because Jesus paid our sin debt in full, God now offers forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43) and eternal life as a free gift (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8–9) to all who simply believe in Jesus as their Savior (Rom. 3:28; 4:5; 5:1). Scripture is plain: “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16; cf. Acts 16:31). The object of our faith is Jesus, the God-Man (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9), who “died for our sins… was buried… was raised on the third day… and appeared” alive to many witnesses (1 Cor. 15:3–8). At that moment of faith in Christ, God places the believer into union with His Son (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:13), and from that point forward, the believer participates in all that is true of Christ.

Within that framework, Paul writes, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). The emphasis is corporate. The “us” refers to believers as a class, those who are in Christ. The choice was made “before the foundation of the world,” but the object of that choice is Christ and the people united to Him. The issue is not who would believe, but what God determined for those who do believe. Election defines the blessings and destiny of those in Christ, not the means by which they come to faith. According to Flowers, “As a spiritual blessing, regeneration is only available to those who are corporately in Christ by faith. This is also why we find in Ephesians 1 that each of the spiritual blessings listed are carefully qualified as “in him” (Eph. 1:4), “in the Beloved One” (Eph. 1:6), “in him” (Eph. 1:7), “in Christ” (Eph. 1:9), “in Christ” (Eph. 1:10), and “in him” (Eph. 1:13).”[2]

Paul states the purpose of election: that believers would be “holy and blameless before Him” (Eph. 1:4). This speaks of positional sanctification and ultimate conformity to Christ. At the moment of faith, the believer is set apart in Christ (1 Cor. 1:2), for “by His doing you are in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:30). Election guarantees the believer’s standing and final perfection, for “we know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Paul continues in Ephesians 1:5 by saying that God “predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:5). In simple terms, this means God decided ahead of time what would happen to those who are in Christ. He did not decide who would believe, but what would be true of those who do believe. And what He decided is that they would become part of His family. Adoption means we are given full standing as God’s children, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Because we are united to Christ, we share in His position and are treated as heirs with Him (Rom. 8:15–17).

This plan comes from God’s heart. It is “according to the kind intention of His will” (Eph. 1:5), which means it is based on His grace, not anything we earn. At the same time, people are still responsible to believe. The gospel is offered to everyone, and those who believe in Jesus enter into what God has already planned. As John says, those who “receive Him” are the ones who “believe in His name,” and they are given the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

Paul explains where all of this is heading. God’s plan is to bring everything together under Christ (Eph. 1:10). Christ is the center of history, and everything is moving toward Him. Within that plan, believers have a place. “In Him we have obtained an inheritance” (Eph. 1:11). This means we share in what God has prepared. That includes eternal life, a right standing with God, a future glory, and even rewards for faithful living (Rom. 8:17; Col. 1:12; 1 Cor. 3:12–15). This inheritance is not something we earn. It is given to us because we are in Christ.[3]

Paul repeats the idea of predestination in verse 11 to make the point clear. God decided ahead of time what would be true of those in Christ. He gave them a future and a role in His plan. This fits with what Paul says later, that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works… prepared beforehand” (Eph. 2:10). At the same time, God is actively guiding history, “working all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11), while still calling people to believe in Christ. The ultimate goal of all this is God’s glory. Paul says it is “to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12). Those who first believed in Christ, likely Jewish believers, were the first part of this plan, and Gentiles were added soon after (Eph. 1:13). Together, all believers share in what God is doing.

In summary, corporate election means that God chose Christ as the Elect One and decided ahead of time that everyone who is joined to Him by faith would share in His blessings. A person is not chosen in order to believe. Rather, when a person believes, God places them into Christ, and they then share in everything God has already prepared.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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[1] William W. Klein, “Corporate and Personal Election,” in Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique, ed. David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 354.

[2] Leighton Flowers, “A Critique of Unconditional Election,” in Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique, ed. David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 61.

[3] Scripture presents two aspects of inheritance that must be distinguished. First, every believer has an inheritance by virtue of being in Christ. At the moment of faith, he “obtains an inheritance” (Eph. 1:11), becomes an “heir of God” (Rom. 8:17), and is guaranteed an inheritance that is secure and based on Christ’s work, not his own (1 Pet. 1:4). Second, there is an inheritance related to obedience, which concerns reward. A believer’s works will be evaluated, and “if any man’s work… remains, he will receive a reward,” though even the one who suffers loss “will be saved” (1 Cor. 3:14–15). Paul also speaks of “the reward of the inheritance” tied to faithful service (Col. 3:24). In short, every believer has an inheritance in Christ, but faithful obedience determines the reward associated with that inheritance.

The Life That Glorifies God

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Phase one of eternal salvation—justification—was accomplished entirely by Jesus Christ on the cross. It is offered graciously as a free gift (Eph 2:8–9) and received by faith alone in Christ alone, “for whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The moment one trusts in Christ as Savior, the transaction is complete, permanent, and irreversible. Eternal life is not a probationary status but a settled possession, for Jesus declared, “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). The believer’s salvation rests entirely on the finished work of Christ, not on human effort, for “by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Heb 10:14). Fruchtenbaum notes, “His work has already permanently sanctified believers forever. In their standing before God, which is a positional truth, they are already perfect before God as far as the penalty of sin is concerned.” (A. G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 135).

Paul affirms that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29). Eternal life, being a divine gift (Rom 6:23), can never be withdrawn, for God’s character is immutable and His promises cannot fail (Tit 1:2). At the moment of faith, believers are “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13), who serves both as God’s mark of ownership and as “a pledge of our inheritance” (Eph 1:14). No power—human, demonic, or otherwise—can break that divine seal. The decision to believe in Christ initiates an unbreakable, everlasting union with Him, secured by divine grace and guaranteed by the faithfulness of God Himself.

Phase two of salvation—sanctification—unfolds moment by moment as the believer learns to walk by faith and to live according to God’s revealed will. Whereas phase one (justification) is instantaneous and entirely the work of God, phase two requires the exercise of positive volition under divine enablement. Each day presents opportunities to trust, obey, and apply the Word of God as the believer grows in grace and knowledge (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18). Spiritual maturity is not achieved through self-effort but through consistent dependence on the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16) and the faithful intake and application of Scripture (2 Tim 3:16–17). The justified believer is called to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Col 1:10), proving “what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2). This phase of salvation is dynamic and experiential, requiring constant decisions to trust God’s promises and utilize His resources amid the pressures and blessings of life.

Phase one secures eternal life—a permanent possession guaranteed by the single decision to believe in Jesus as Savior (John 3:16; Eph 2:8–9). That life can never be lost, diminished, or revoked. Phase two, however, determines eternal rewards, which are also permanent but depend on faithfulness in time (2 John 1:8). These rewards are not given for salvation but for service—for living to the glory of God in every sphere of life (1 Cor 10:31), for sacrificially serving others in love (Phil 2:3–4), and for walking by faith as we appropriate divine grace moment by moment (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 11:6). Each decision to obey advances the believer toward spiritual maturity and future reward at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:12–15; 2 Cor 5:10). Just as eternal life is secured by one act of faith, eternal rewards are secured through a lifetime of faithful choices aligned with God’s will (Rom 12:1; Gal 6:9).

Christian, God calls you to live in total submission to Him—to bring every thought, word, and action under the authority of His Word. The same faith that received eternal life must now become the faith that sustains daily obedience. Learn His Word, believe it, and live it moment by moment, walking by the Spirit who transforms your mind and conforms you to the image of Christ (Rom 12:2; Gal 5:16; 2 Cor 3:18). Pursue the spiritual life with humility and determination, for there is no higher calling and no more noble pursuit than to live in alignment with God’s will. As you walk in fellowship with Him, let your light shine before others, “so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16). All else fades in comparison to the eternal significance of a life devoted to His glory. The world promises pleasure but delivers emptiness; only obedience to God brings true joy, peace, and purpose. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Live for His glory, by His grace, and through His truth—this is the life that matters forever.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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