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 3 of 18

MERITORIOUS WORK IS EXCLUDED
     The BASIS for the election of God excludes all human work--that is the point of the term "election of grace." Mark this, human involvement is not excluded, but meritorious work is! The CAUSE of election is found in God Himself, not in the circumstance! That is the meaning of the term "election of grace," our chosen topic. This is a choice constrained by the nature of God. It is an expression of His Person, and finds its total basis in the will of God. It is not caused by man, nor is it a recognition of his achievement.

Law Cannot Contain Grace
     The grace of God cannot be contained in a law. It extends beyond the boundaries of a judicial system. It can save a penitent dying thief (thief on the cross-Luke 23:42-43), accept a searching publican (Zaccheus-Luke 19:8-9), and give honor to an insightful woman of the street (woman with the ointment-Matt 26:7-13). It can transform a Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:1-15), forgive a zealous persecutor of the church (Paul-1 Tim 1:13, and restore a denying disciple (Peter-Mark 16:7). 

     How are all of these things possible? No merit could be found in any of the cases just mentioned. In fact, the accomplishments of the people were their liability--it is what disqualified them! Law, in any form, was powerless to exonerate them. It could not remove their sin, offer them mercy, or provide them with everlasting consolation and good hope. The answer for their acceptance is found in "the election of grace."  He favors those who see Him and turn to Him. That single act outweighs all of their unrighteousness!

A Remnant Preserved
     As pertaining to our text, God has had a "remnant" of Jews in every age,  that saw the truth of Christ, and thus were endeared to Him. It is that "remnant" that has preserved the nation, just as "the fathers" did before them. There is an association with our day that is to be made also. God has a "remnant" among the Gentiles also; a people that still sees Christ "above all." Although they dwell in an unsavory environment, God receives them because of their faith--it is His nature to do that. They are the "salt" that preserves the world, like only ten righteous could have preserved Sodom (Gen 18:32). While clergymen attempt to browbeat people into becoming "salt" and "light," those in the favor of God ARE precisely that. If you ask them how it is they are "salt" and "light," they will tell you -- "I am what I am, by the grace of God" (1 Cor 15:10). See, "there is a remnant according to the election of grace!"

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise you that your grace reaches as far as sin can plunge us, lifting us up and setting our feet on a solid rock. I confess I have no merit of my own, that I have not done, nor can I do, enough to merit your grace. In Jesus' name, I thank You for wanting to save me.

-- TOMORROW: THE CONTEXT OF THE TEXT --