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 13 of 18
                                
GOD WILL NOT BE INDEBTED TO MAN
     We now enter an area where the wisdom of men withers and dies. It cannot survive in the sanctuary of the Almighty. The purpose of the dialog we will cover here is not to make the working of God comprehensible, although that is possible to the degree of your faith. Here, however, the futility of man to save himself is seen, together with the aggressiveness of God to save those who come to Him through Christ Jesus.

     Two things do not allow God to be indebted to fallen creatures. First, His own character. Second, the condition of the fallen ones. The Creator cannot be obligated to the created!  Nor, indeed, can any descendant of Adam boast before the Lord of glory. In His infinite wisdom, the Father is implementing His great salvation in a manner not allowing for boastful flesh. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God  chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Cor 1:27-28). 

      How can those who receive boast? How can anyone calling upon the name of the Lord boast? Both of these (receiving and calling) appear to be weak postures to people of the world; but they are not! They allow for the choice to ultimately reside with the Lord Himself! We indeed choose, and do so deliberately. But our acceptance by God is not based upon our choice, but upon His choice! Lest there be any misunderstanding, no one can choose Christ and be rejected by God!  Likewise, no one can refuse Christ and be accepted by God! To put it another way, faith puts you into the realm of divine favor, which is Jesus Christ the Lord.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for delivering me from confidence in the flesh! I see the truth of my Savior's words, "The flesh profits nothing." Without shame, I confess that I am saved because You chose to do so. In Jesus' name, I praise Your name for Your choice!

-- TOMORROW: GOD USES MEANS --