God's free grace and love

ESV Ephesians 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

I like the way the ASV phrases it- "to the praise of the glory of his grace"

ESV 2 Timothy 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Because of His own purpose and grace

I particularly am comforted by the scripture, "which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."

Makes you have to ask- who is the "us"? It's not all humanity. Paul is writing to Timothy and using language defined by his context. In essence he is writing to Timothy and saying, "Now as a pastor Timothy, remember these things and teach them to your people (the church)." Hence the name given for these letters to Timothy and Titus- pastoral epistles.

ESV Romans 9:11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad- in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call- 12 she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Last and least we have the Westmister Confession of Faith expressing these biblical truths. Remember that the Westminster Standards are not Scripture and are subservient to Scripture in every regard. That being said the following is an excellent summation of what the Bible says.

WCF 3:5 WCF 3.5 Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory,(1) out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perserverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto;(2) and all to the praise of His glorious grace.(3)

this is talking about being predestined unto salvation by God's free grace and love.

I've been thinking again about God's grace and His purpose in our lives. I don't know of anyone (any Christian that is) who doesn't like the concept of grace- free grace and God's love. It's when you start putting it in it biblical context that the internecine argument begins. So much of christian discussion and conflict center around salvation. If you are teaching the bible its unavoidable to teach on salvation. Because of this emphasis on salvation (and I'm not saying this is completely bad) so much of the church never really moves beyond getting saved. We must live by God's grace in light of our salvation. I've heard it said that in some baptist circles every sermon and service is about getting saved and coming to Jesus. I've heard it said that in some Reformed Presbyterian circles that every sermon and service is about Justification and coming to Jesus. This is a great starting point and should never be left behind (no pun intended- well sort of) but there is more.
Paul's words to the Ephesians are weighty words- "you have been saved by grace." We need to remember too that there is life to be lived now that we have been saved by grace. And we go about this living by God's free grace and love.