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 4 of 18
                                
THE CONTEXT OF THE TEXT
     The eleventh chapter of Romans confirms that ultimately, God's purpose for His people will triumph. The circumstances of the Jewish nation appear to have obscured the divine agenda, engulfing it in a sea of impossibility. But this is not a proper perspective. The divine agenda actually encircles the circumstance, providing a basis for faith and hope. Paul appeals to the prophet Elijah. That holy man of God stood alone against the forces of evil. Single handedly, he slew 450 prophets of Baal, culminating a contest on Mount Carmel. As great as that triumph was, Elijah soon found himself in an apparent desert, destitute of
fellowship, and with no obvious colleagues in faith. He intercedes "against Israel," affirming that he is the solitary believer that remains (Rom 11:2-3).

God Reveals Something Hidden
     Although Elijah's assessment was incorrect, God does not ignore his words! He shares with the disheartened prophet something that was not apparent. " . . . I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not  bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Rom 11:3). Notice, God does not simply say "7,000 have not bowed," but that He has "reserved" for Himself 7,000 that have not yielded  to Baal! The text from First Kings reads, "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" (1 Kgs 19:18). Israel had not totally forsaken their God! There were some who refused to serve Baal, and God preserved them for Himself. The times were bad--unusually bad--but God did not abandon Israel as a whole! He saw those inclined to Him and chose them! He favored them, and thus preserved them.

     So it is with Israel! In Paul's day, as well as in ours, it looks as though Israel is hopeless. Believers represent a relative smattering of the race, so much so that some have concluded there is no hope for them. But this is not the conclusion of God! "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace" (Rom 11:5). God's choices are not affected by decadent generations! In every age and time, there have been those who have sought the Lord in purity of heart. His nature is to choose such, even though they dwell "in the midst of a people of unclean lips." The consistency of such people is owing to God's choice of them. He did not choose them because they were consistent. They are consistent because He chose them! He has sustained them because He prefers them. 

The Admixture of Grace and Works
     Paul's argument is devastating to the flesh. He does not speak as an academic genius, but as a spiritual giant. "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no  more grace: otherwise work is no more work" (Rom 11:6). There is a place in the kingdom where grace and work come together, but it is NOT at the  foundation! Those who have received the grace of God are taught by it to avoid unrighteousness and freely indulge themselves in righteousness (Tit 2:11-13). However, Paul is not looking at the "remnant" from that perspective. He is showing that God Himself is the ultimate Cause for salvation. It is not a cooperative effort between God and man. If the BASIS for acceptance is the  grace of God, it cannot be obtained meritoriously, or by "work." All of this is
accomplished without God violating the volition of people or compromising His own character!

     Confidence is placed in God, not in our work! We do not despise "good works," because we have been "ordained" to "walk in them." In fact, salvation  involves zealousness for good works. As it is written, "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a  people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Tit 2:14). Those who are not eager to do good works lack evidence of regeneration. They  assume too much in supposing they are accepted by God! The "redeemed of the Lord" still need a Savior. They have not yet attained -- but they want to! They will not boast in their works, or imagine that they have reached the apex in "good deeds" -- but they want to! They are zealous to do so, looking for an  opportunity to glorify the God that saved them!

     For many of the people with whom I have walked, it must be viewed like this: We do not have confidence in our baptism, but in the Christ into Whom we were baptized.  Realizing it may be misunderstood, I must say, every denomination offers a substitute for Jesus--something other than Christ as a BASIS for confidence. Substitutes include baptism in water, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, healing, embracing a studied theological view,confirmation, etc. It is possible to place your confidence in the EFFECT rather than the CAUSE--but it is never good to do so. When this takes place, the thing in which men trust becomes a "work," even though it is legitimate of itself. You cannot be saved by "grace" AND by "works!" 

     As a cause, or basis, of salvation, grace stands by itself. It cannot be mixed with human endeavor, thereby providing a foundation for Divine acceptance. If this is not the case, grace loses its essential meaning, for it presupposes the lack of merit and achievement in the one upon whom it is bestowed. It is humiliating to some to be able to contribute nothing to their salvation. Our faith can receive it, but we cannot add to it!

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for wanting to save me, and providing the Foundation for that to occur. I realize I love You because You first loved me. In  Jesus' name, deliver me from attaching the value to my response that belongs alone to Him.

-- TOMORROW: WHY DO MEN HEAR? --