Ephesians 1:4-5

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

(v4, NIV)

Paul is still addressing the Christians. He refers to them as saints in verse 1. Again, he includes himself because he too is a follower of Christ Jesus. The last verse talked about blessing we receive from God. Verse 4 begins with the word "For", directly linking the two verses. The blessing we receive from God is related to the fact that he chose long before the world was created to view us as sinless and blameless. Notice that we are not in fact sinless, but he views us as blameless.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Romans 3:23, NIV)

We are sinners. All have sinned. None of us are exempt from this and none of us are perfect. What's amazing is that God chose to do this way before the creation of the world. Before anything we did could change his mind, he chose to view us as sinless. However, God is an all knowing God, so he knew what we would do and how we would live. Regardless, he made that choice long ago and we also know that God is an unchanging God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

(v5, NIV)

We are not sons of God to begin with. We come into this world as sinners and unable to be with the living God. We are not children of God, but children of the flesh. We choose to gratify the desires of the flesh; we choose to gratify our sinful desires. However, God has allowed us to be his adopted children. He welcomes us in calls us his own. The only way this is possible is through his son Jesus Christ. How awesome and amazing and loving is our father in heaven that he even gives us a chance to be with him. He chooses to make a way for us when we rightly deserve death and eternal separation from him. Our God is an awesome God.

God makes a way for us. This is in accordance with his pleasure. God is pleased to welcome us as adopted sons. It is part of his will. This was planned long time ago. Rejoice and be glad for God's willingness to save us and welcoming into his presence as adopted sons and daughters.