Ephesians 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The chosen of God were predestinated to be adopted as children, when He also predetermined that "in due time Christ [would die] for the ungodly". Therefore, Christ’s predetermined death was the event which resulted in the predetermined adoption, of this predetermined group of ungodly people.

God first chose a people unto Himself. He then predetermined that Christ would die for this elect people. In doing so, He also predetermined that this group of people would be adopted, according to the good pleasure of His will. This means that His benevolence decided His actions. God’s own desire to do good was the driving force behind His decision to provide this gift, which is given freely. This is the core of free grace. It could not be any more plainly stated.

Secondly, Paul says, "wherein", meaning in this same respect, they are also made acceptable in the beloved. It was God who made us accepted, through the sacrifice of Christ for our sins. This does not occur when we believe, but must occur beforehand. Note carefully how Paul builds upon this truth. Next he teaches that as a result of this adoption, we have also "obtained an inheritance". I use Paul’s exact wording, because this conveys ownership without possession. It simply means that the person has been allotted a portion of the Fathers estate. This is the same manner that I have bequeathed my estate to my children through a will. They will not take possession until I have passed away, and they have reached the age of twenty-one. The person, having been adopted as a child, has been added to the legal declaration of how God wishes his estate to be handled. They will take possession when they depart this world, either by physical death or on the last day.

This is the foundation of the gospel, the corner stone upon which we are called to place our trust and belief. And in Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul will reveal how a person can take immediate possession of the "the earnest of our inheritance" – a small amount given in advance.