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 2 of 18

THE MEANING OF THE WORD
     There is no question about the meaning of the word employed in the phrase, "the ELECTION of grace." "Election" comes from ek-log-ay, meaning "divine selection:--chosen, election" (Strong). "Election, choice; The act of picking out, choosing" (Thayer). "Denotes a picking out, selection . . . " (Vine). "A picking out, choice, election . . . " (Liddell and Scott). We are addressing the subject of divine selection. It is a spiritual concept contained in spiritual words.

God Does Select People
     None should stumble at the thought of God selecting, picking out, or electing. He selected ABRAHAM to be the progenitor of a race of blessing. MOSES was chosen to lead the people of God from Egyptian bondage.  AARON was selected of God to be the high priest. DAVID was chosen to be king of the people of God. ZACHARIAS and ELIZABETH were chosen to have John the Baptist, and MARY was chosen to bear the Son of God.  The Lord  chose PROPHETS like Jeremiah, John  the Baptist, and Paul--even before they were born (Jer 1:5; Luke 1:41-44; Gal 1:15). None of the Prophets were volunteers for the office, nor were any of the Apostles. They were all "picked out," so to speak. No Scripturally informed person questions these statements.

Israel Was Chosen
     Israel was a chosen people. As it is written, "For thou art an holy people
unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath CHOSEN thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  The LORD did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people" (Deut 7:6- 7). Again it is written, "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath CHOSEN thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth" (Deut 14:2). Surely no one will affirm He chose them because they were worthy, or because they measured up to His expectations. The choice was NOT made because they excelled, were greater than other nations, or had more natural abilities than the peoples surrounding them. The reason for the choice was God Himself--in particular, His graciousness or favor. They were chosen because He WANTED them. That is the highest of all reasons!

The Apostles were chosen
     In an extensive dialog with His disciples, Jesus spoke of divine choice. "Ye have NOTchosen Me, but I have CHOSEN you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My He may give it you"  (John 15:16). The Apostles of the Lamb could not boast of earning their office, or deserving it by their moral or spiritual achievements. Their involvement in the "eternal purpose" of God was because of Christ's choice! The remarkable accomplishments they realized were due Jesus' choice of them. The duration of their fruit is also traceable that choice.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I acknowledge your ways are marvelous, and past finding out. Still, I desire to be in your favor. I want your love and favor to rest upon me. I know your Word reveals you are attracted to the humble and contrite of heart. Oh Lord, in Jesus' name, give me grace to be that kind of person!

-- TOMORROW: MERITORIOUS WORK IS EXCLUDED --