"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Eph. 1.4). "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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" (Eph. 5.26,27). This is not referring to individuals determined irresistibly but the corporate body of Christ. Peter echoes this. "But ye are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Pet. 2.9,10).

An analogy. The president of United States invites a choir to come sing at the white house. He invites the corporate group of the choir. But the individual choice to be in the choir is up to you.

Paul uses the analogy of the physical body. The liver in the body of a man on death row is condemned because the man is condemned. But there is a transplant. The liver is taken out of that man's body and is put into the body of the man who is about to become president. The liver is now in the corporate body of one of the most powerful men in the world and so the liver gets all those benefits.