Solid Comfort

Ephesians 1:1 KJV

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

The words “counsel” and “will” are both closely connected to the concept of volition. Barnes says, "The phrase “counsel of his own will” is remarkable. It is designed to express in the strongest manner the fact that it is not by human counsel or advice." The things God has determined such as:

• Salvation through the work of Christ
• Salvation only for those who come through Christ and
• A joint inheritance with Christ for all those who come to Christ

are solely and completely based upon the agreement of God's own wisdom and will. There is no pressure from the forces of men or angels. God is neither surprised by those who reject Him or stunned by the plotting of Satan to prevent souls from salvation. He has determined a course of salvation that is suitable for any man at any time, in any part of the world. 

• No logic of man
• No appeals from background
• No exceptions for ethnic prejudices

mitigate or in anyway influence the purpose of God because it is predestinated and worked out after the counsel of His own will.

There is rock solid comfort and assurance in this.

• What God has promised
• What God has proclaimed and
• What God has purposed

is unchanging and true and never subject to the ever shifting sands of human thought, preferences and whims.