Yes, And God chose US from the beginning to be saved. But not all of us, not all of the human race did God chose to save.Your definition of will renders eph:1:5 meaningless. Having predestined us at the beginning, he was simply prepared to save us or ready to do so. That would be a ridiculous interpretation, especially in light of such strong language at the beginning of the verse. To will is to act, it is God who acts in our salvation, it is he who opens our cold dead heart.
Here Paul tells us the why, when, how, means and result of us becoming saved.
Why, because God loved us even before our creation.
When, the beginning, which is before the foundation of the earth or thereabouts.
The how, by becoming sanctified, made holy to Him by the Holy Spirit's work on us, not our works, which produced in us belief in the truth (Christ).
The means, our individual calling by the gospel.
The result, the obtaining of the glory of of Our Lord. That Christ would have many brothers, and God would have a big family of loved ones.
2 Thessalonians 2
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our [h]epistle.
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