One of the blessings for which we should bless God is the fact that He's chosen believers to be holy lovers

He has chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him

in love

(v5 The reason God chose us to be holy lovers is because He's determined to adopt us)

A. Election is God's doing 2Ti 1:9 Who has saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

B. Election is corporate (parallel to Israel) and for displaying God's glory 1Pe 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a special people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

C. Election is for preparation, service, and eventual presentation Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Ac 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all [men], show which of these two thou has chosen,

Christ's blemish free state was not an end in itself, but a prerequisite for service. Heb 9:14 ...blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

D. Election has its evidences 1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election by God...

E. Election doesn't guarantee Christlikeness Joh 6:70 Jesus answered, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14 And above all these things [put on] charity...17 Mt 22:14 many are called, but few [are] chosen.

F. Election involves a process, the means of which is sanctification 1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied. 2Th 2:13 We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 To which he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Th 4:7 For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.

G. We are chosen to be blameless lovers 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to a sincere love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:

In Ephesians we are to be in love (sacrificially seeking another's best): rooted and grounded (4:2), forbearing one another (4:2), truth speaking (4:15), body building (4:16), walking as Christ did (5:2)

H. If we're not diligent our election isn't sure (does not automatically result in glorification) 2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  If Paul didn't endure, would the elect be secure? 2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (which aspect of salvation?)

I. Reconciliation is for the ultimate purpose of presentation, which is conditioned by Col 1:23 (continuing in the faith, not moved from the hope, which should result in a faultless love) Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy & unblameable & unreproveable in his sight: The presentation is a consequence of not falling, and is for reward/glory Jude 1:24 Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

144,000 Re 14:3-5 Redeemed...reserved...in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Re 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Is election one of the blessings for which you bless God? Why? Why not?

2. Do we value holiness (blameless in love) as an end in itself or as a means to an end?

3. How does holiness (blameless in love) manifest itself in our lives?

4. If you were to design a "school for sons"  what would be the curriculum?

5. How do you make your calling an election sure?