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 5 of 18

WHY DO MEN HEAR?
     Jesus gave an arresting word to the skeptics of His day. He accounted for the distinction among those hearing Him. Some of them believed, and some did not. Some opposed Him, and some did not. Christ's explanation of this situation brings glory to God. "He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God" (John 8:47). The unlearned would NOT say it this way. Such would rather say "You are of God because you hear God's words." But the Lord Jesus says we hear the Word because we are of God. The knowledge of this builds faith and confidence in the hearers! The truth of the matter is that divine activity precedes our acceptance of the truth! That activity does not coerce us, nor does it override our wills! I can preach and teach in the confidence produced by embracing this fact!

I Have Much People Here
     When Paul first preached in Corinth, he was rejected by the Jews, for whom he had a passion. Paul's reaction was stern. "But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and  laid to them, Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles" (Acts 18:6). Following his harsh denunciation, the "chief ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all of his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). Notwithstanding, this was not the consistent response of the city to the preaching of the Gospel. 

     The Lord spoke to Paul in a night vision, strengthening him with the truth of the "election of grace." "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on  thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10). It did not look like there were a lot of God's people in the city, but there was a "remnant,  according to the election of grace." How often I have comforted my own heart with the recollection of these gracious words! And remember, the remnant existed without God compromising His character or violating human volition.

     Some will object to this line of reasoning, saying that the subject being consideration in our text is the Jewish nation. That is true, but there are other factors. God does NOT have a special salvation for the Jews, even though He confesses them to be a special people. The Jewish people are saved no differently than you. In salvation, they become "one" with the Gentiles, because of a "common salvation" (Eph 2:11-16). The promise of a new covenant to be made "with the house of Israel" is affirmed to be the very covenant in which we participate in Christ Jesus (Heb 8:8-13). 

      Jew and Gentile are brought together in Christ and by means of the Gospel. God had a remnant among the Jews, but He also had a people among the blinded and alienated Gentiles. As Jesus said, "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). At the time of that saying, it certainly did not look like Jesus had "other sheep" which were not of the Jewish "fold." However, from the Divine perspective, there were "sheep"  among them, and they would "hear" Christ's voice when He called them. Indeed, "there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

-- PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You that Christ's sheep are viewed through the eyes of grace instead of that of law, or of works. I rejoice that the sheep are noted for hearing Christ's voice, and not for being fully developed in all of their expressions. In Jesus name, may You receive glory through me giving heed to the voice of Your only begotten Son!

-- TOMORROW: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WHEN JESUS DIED? --