“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.”
The words “IN HIM” don’t change the meaning one whit. It just means God and only God can predestine salvation. Not individual will through the a personal work of belief. If faith is an act of will then those who come to faith DO have a reason to boast. I could boast that given the same opportunity as every one else I chose to come to faith and they didn’t. If God decides then Paul’s words make sense, there is nothing to boast about.
That verse makes my point - coming to belief is "the work of God for you". It's the work of God for you to "believe in the one who he has sent you. It's not of their own volition but it is the "work of God"