Grace in Focus

Episode Title: Do Ephesians 1:4 & Colossians 1:21-23 Teach That We Are Chosen to Persevere in Holiness?
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Bob Wilkin & Ken Yates

Episode Overview

In this compact yet insightful episode, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates address a listener question centering on the interpretation of Ephesians 1:4 and Colossians 1:21–23—namely, whether these passages teach that believers are “chosen” to persevere in holiness. The discussion revolves around key themes in Free Grace theology, including assurance, rewards, the nature of the church, and common misconceptions within Calvinist and perseverance theology. The central aim is to clarify the biblical context and meaning of being “chosen” in these verses while maintaining the distinction between justification and sanctification.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding "Chosen" in Ephesians 1:4

• Reading the Text and Question (01:00–02:13)

  • Listener Tim asks whether “chosen” refers to believers being predestined to be holy and blameless or to persevere until the end.
  • Bob and Ken note both confusion and the individualized reading prevalent today.

• Corporate Nature of the Church (02:13–03:17; 04:04–04:55)

  • Ken emphasizes that in Ephesians, “we” or “us” always refers to the church—Jews and Gentiles together—not to individuals.
    • Quote:
      “You need to understand in Ephesians the first person plural, we or us, always, always, always refers to the church.” – Ken Yates (02:39)
  • The intent is not a guarantee that each believer or local church will actually be holy and blameless, but that this is God’s desire for the church.
  • Bob urges listeners to set aside a Western, individualistic mindset in reading Ephesians, highlighting its corporate focus.

• Distinguishing God’s Desire from Guarantee (03:17–06:00)

  • Both Ephesians 1:4 and 2:10 speak to what God wants for the church, not an unavoidable outcome.
  • God's choice is of the church as Christ’s body to be a vehicle for His glory—whether this is achieved is conditional on living out that identity.

2. Colossians 1:21–23 and the Conditional "If"

• Presentation at Judgment (08:51–10:07)

  • The critical term in Colossians is “present”—referring to a future moment when faithful believers are presented as holy and blameless.
  • This presentation will occur at the Judgment Seat of Christ for those who meet the condition of perseverance.
    • Quote:
      “Is there some kind of future time when believers who have been holy, blameless and above reproach will be presented by Christ... as his companions, his co-heirs, the ones who have been faithful?” – Ken Yates (09:22)

• Conditional Statements (10:06–10:36)

  • The “if” in Colossians 1:23 indicates condition—perseverance in faith and hope, not an automatic result.
    • Quote:
      “It is conditional, right?” – Ken Yates
      “Right, notice if, if you continue…” – Bob Wilkin (10:06)

• Implications for Rewards (10:36–11:14)

  • The passage is about rewards—not salvation. Those who persevere experience special roles (“partners” who will reign with Christ), whereas unbelievers or believers who do not persevere will still be with the Lord but without these rewards.
    • Quote:
      “If you don’t persevere and you’re a believer... you’re going to be with the Lord forever... but you’re not going to rule and reign with Him.” – Ken Yates (11:20)

3. Differentiating Free Grace Theology from Perseverance Theology

• Some interpret these passages as proof of unconditional election (Calvinism) or perseverance being necessary for salvation.

• The hosts push back: neither Ephesians 1:4 nor Colossians 1:21-23 teach that only those who persevere are truly saved.

  • Quote:
    “Don’t let anybody use these two verses... to say, ‘Oh he chose certain people to go to heaven and others to go to hell.’ That’s a gross misunderstanding.” – Bob Wilkin (12:27)

• The reward (ruling and reigning with Christ) is distinct from the free gift of salvation.

• Final note of humor and clarity:

  • Quote:
    “If you go to seminary, we have a name for that. It’s called bogus.” – Ken Yates (12:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Corporate Election Emphasized:
  “He chose the church, the ‘us.’ He chose us that we should be holy and without blame.” – Bob Wilkin (02:59)
• Western Individualism Challenged:
  “When you read the book of Ephesians, get the Western notion out of your mind. It’s all about me. ... That’s not what’s going on.” – Bob Wilkin (04:04)
• Nature of Rewards:
  “The Church is going to provide those who are going to rule with Christ.” – Bob Wilkin (08:11)
• The Judgment Seat as the Context:
  “The New Testament is crystal clear. It’s at the judgment seat of Christ.” – Bob Wilkin (09:57)
• Rewards vs. Salvation:
  “If you don’t persevere and you’re a believer... you’re going to be with the Lord forever... but you’re not going to rule and reign with Him.” – Ken Yates (11:20)
• Academic Humor:
  “If you go to seminary, we have a name for that. It’s called bogus.” – Ken Yates (12:46)

Important Timestamps

• 01:00 – Listener question and reading of Ephesians 1:4 and Colossians 1:21-23
• 02:25 – Clarifying the plural “we/us” as referring to the church
• 04:04 – Urging listeners to abandon an individual focus in Ephesians
• 06:36 – Ken explains God’s vision for the church’s holiness
• 07:59 – Discussing rewards and co-heirs with Christ
• 08:51 – Conditionality in Colossians 1:22–23 and the future “presentation”
• 09:57 – The Judgment Seat of Christ as the context for the “presentation”
• 10:06 – Conditional aspect: “if you continue in the faith”
• 11:20 – Consequence of not persevering is loss of reward, not salvation
• 12:27 – Warning against misusing these passages to teach election to heaven or hell
• 12:46 – “Bogus” interpretations called out

Summary & Takeaways

• Ephesians 1:4 teaches God’s purpose for the corporate church (not individuals) to be holy and blameless, but this is God’s desire, not an immutable guarantee.
• Colossians 1:21–23 specifies that being presented as holy and blameless is conditional on perseverance in faith—this concerns rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ, not salvation itself.
• Both passages focus on God’s plan for the church to display His glory, with special roles (co-heirs/partners with Christ) as rewards for those who are faithful.
• Salvation is free and permanent; rewards are conditional upon perseverance and sanctification.

Final Word

Bob and Ken urge listeners to read these passages contextually, avoid “bogus” theological misreadings, and keep the clarity of grace and reward at the forefront of interpretation.