Yet you would completely erase from Ephesians verse 1:11 which specifically states: "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the counsel of his will..." and Ephesians 1:4-5, "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,"
“Yet you would completely erase from Ephesians verse 1:11 which specifically states: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the counsel of his will...” and Ephesians 1:4-5, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world...”
“Calvin repeatedly emphasizes that regeneration precedes and enables faith. Otherwise faith is just another work.”
Actually, I have already mentioned what Calvin missed in Ephesians: IN HIM. We are predestined “IN HIM”. We are chosen “IN HIM”. If we are “IN HIM”, we are safe. And we are placed IN HIM - become a part of the body of Christ - by believing.
And faith is contrasted with works in the NT. Works refers to man’s efforts to be good enough for God. No man is saved by his own strength. Yet there IS one place where Jesus calls faith a work:
“28 This made them ask him, “What must we do to carry out the work of God?” 29 “The work of God for you,” replied Jesus, “is to believe in the one whom he has sent to you.”
Please notice that Jesus says it in response to “What must we do?”
Or as we read in Acts:
“30 He led them outside, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 And they replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and then you will be saved, you and your household.”