THE ELECTION OF GRACE

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace" (KJV). "In the same way then, there has also come to be at
the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice" (NASB). "So too, At the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace" (NIV). -- Rom11:5

Devotion 1 of 18

INTRODUCTION
Divine Reaction
     There have been times when God reacted to the "depraved"  conduct of humanity. (Ezek 16:47; 23:11; Rom 1:28; Phil 2:15; 2 Tim 3:8, NIV) He reacted to the sin of Adam and Eve by casting them from the Edenic paradise, and enveloping them in a cursed environment (Gen 3:24). He reacted to the murderer Cain by setting a mark upon him, and causing the ground that swallowed his brother's blood to refuse to yield fruit to him (Gen 4:9-16). The Lord reacted to the wicked and violent society of Noah's day by destroying "all flesh" but eight souls (Gen 6-7; 1 Pet 3:20). Egypt, because of its obstinacy against the people of God, incurred the indignation of the Almighty (Ex 7:4). Who can forget Sodom and Gomorrah, who suffered the "vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 7), and the angels that abandoned their first habitation and are "kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day"  (Jude 6)?  No serious student of Scripture doubts that God reacts to the rebellion of His creatures!
                                
In Salvation, God Is Proactive
     But in salvation, God is not primarily reacting to the human dilemma! Jehovah is proactive in the reclamation of mankind; He is executing a high and lofty purpose. That objective is appropriately called His "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11), and is itself greater than the circumstance created by sin. This in no way minimizes the enormity of transgression. God forbid that anyone should  indulge in an effort to reduce the magnitude of iniquity. Rather, the "eternal purpose" of God magnifies His Person, making provision for the continuance  of His intent after His enemies have been made "His footstool" (Heb 1:13; 10:13), i.e., in "the world to come."

     To put it another way, the design of salvation is not merely to undo the effects of sin--although that most assuredly is entailed. Salvation is "with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10), a circumstance that reaches into the "ages to come" (Eph 2:7). What God is doing in Jesus Christ is infinitely larger than the destruction of Satan, the rescue of humanity, or the establishment of a stable environment. A theology that does not rise beyond these limitations will eventually damage faith, debilitate the soul, and obscure the glory of Christ's Person!
                                
An Unfortunate Tendency
     Throughout history there has been a tendency for believers to imagine the avoidance of sin is the pinnacle of spirituality. Make sure of this, "without holiness, no man shall see the Lord" (Heb 12:14). The approach of the contemporary church to sin is not commendable. Too often transgression is presented as though it were a mere weakness. The employment of systematic and regimented approaches to life may appear wise, but they are ineffectual in the mortifying of lusts (Col 2:20-22); i.e., they cannot remove the desire to sin. When God is seen as He is, sin will be perceived as an eternal liability. Under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, men will "flee from" sin, and "flee to" the Savior from sin (2 Tim 2:22; Heb 6:18). God is not committed to "helping" sinners, but to saving and transforming them. "Help" is limited to believers engaged in the "good fight of faith" and the resistance of the evil one!

The Preeminent Issue
     Scripture apprizes us that God, in redemption, is displaying HIS character (particularly His wisdom) to heavenly intelligences "through the church," (Eph 3:10). His name is the preeminent issue in true religion. It is ever true, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Rom 11:36). Valid boasting is only "in the Lord" (1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17). What is more, He will be vindicated in everything He has said (Rom 3:4). This consideration has much to do with our subject.

     Without contradiction, the character of God Himself is underscored in "the election of grace." It is His grace, and it is His choice! Those perspectives may not easily conform to preconceived theological thought patterns. However, we had better not adopt a mental stance that forbids the employment and acceptance of this revealed aspect of God--"the election of grace." Here we touch upon the Sovereignty of God! As we stand here, we confront a gracious and beneficent Lord! Here His lovingkindness toward our race is accentuated!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I sense Your greatness in Your affirmations, and want to know you more fully. Open the eyes of my understanding to behold You more clearly in the face of Jesus Christ, in Whose matchless name I pray.

-- TOMORROW: "ELECTION"--THE MEANING OF THE WORD --