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 10 of 18

GOD'S CHOICE DEMONSTRATED IN JACOB AND ESAU
      "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;  for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth;) For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election ("His choice," NASB) might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth. It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy"  (Rom 9:10-16).

     Having all of the personal advantages does not make one acceptable to God. Esau was the firstborn, and, as such, had the birthright. But he was a "profane (godless, NIV) person," electing to sell his birthright for "one morsel of meat (a single meal," NIV (Heb 12:16). God was righteous in "hating" Esau!  Jacob, on the other hand, was sensitive toward God, at one time refusing to let a heavenly messenger go until he obtained a blessing (Gen 32:26). God was endeared to Jacob because of his sensitivity and directability-not because of his works, or what he did. Esau may have worked harder, but Jacob had a better heart. It was the same condition as that of Cain and Abel. Esau may have been the favorite of his earthly father, but Jacob was the favorite of his heavenly Father. Men may be repulsed by that Divine posture, but God is repulsed by their aversion to the Divine nature. It is really just that simple!

     The point is that God is motivated by His own character, not our works. He did not love Jacob because his works were good, nor did He hate Esau because his works were evil. The character of Esau constrained God to reject  him (he was "profane"), while the tenderness of Jacob compelled the Lord to love him. That is the way God is! His purpose will stand "according to election," and not according to meritorious works! God's nature places character above accomplishment, heart above ability, and inclination above appearance! There is nothing unjust about this arrangement. It allows God to remain Sovereign, yet merciful. It also allows man to remain subservient to the Lord, yet free to choose! How marvelous! If you can see it, we could not be saved if this were not the case!

     Some will object to this, saying that God's choice is unknown to men: that it is arbitrary, and unrelated to the individual himself. There is a sense in which this is correct--but also one in which is wrong.  It is true, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." However, God has revealed the type of people upon whom He will, or wants to have, have mercy. 

     "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa 66:2). Hear the Lord speak for Himself. "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa 57:15). God spared king Josiah the heartbreak of seeing His judgment because his "heart was tender," and he "humbled himself" before the Lord (2 Kgs 22:19-20). We are even told the "eyes of the Lord run to and fro upon the face of the whole earth" seeking to find a man "whose heart is perfect toward Him" (2 Chron 16:9). Throughout Scripture, God informs us of those who are an abomination to Him, and those He is pleased to bless.
 
     In the end, it is the choice of God that makes the difference! I have long heard the hackneyed expression, "God casts a vote for you, and the devil casts one. Your vote is the deciding vote." I can appreciate what the author of that trite saying is trying to convey, namely that God will not save you against your will, and that you are responsible to make the right choice. Too, the devil cannot take you down to the pit against your will. Having said all of that, the purpose of God stands "according to election." The banal sayings of men, concocted to explain the revelation of God, bring more honor to men than the Lord. It is better to unqualifiedly receive the sayings of your Lord. It is in the receiving of them that clarity is made possible!

    The necessity of Divine choice is seen in the debilitating effects of sin upon our race. Sin picked up our race and carried it along like a rushing current, against which we have no power. Regardless of the capacity for tenderness, no person can move toward God independently of Divine influence. This is seen in the Divine assessment of humanity: "There is none who seeks after God" (Rom 3:11). It is also seen in Christ's words, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). How true it is, "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy"  (Rom 9:10-16). Of himself, no individual is capable of implementing his will, even after he sees the issues. Too, no amount of independent activity--i.e., running--can accomplish what God seeks. Without Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5). 

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for not abandoning me to my own efforts. I have long since seen their futility apart from your blessing! Thank you, in Jesus' name, for choosing me in Christ!

-- TOMORROW: THE BLESSEDNESS OF MOTHERHOOD --