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 14 of 18

GOD USES MEANS
     Divine choices are implemented through divinely appointed means! The choice of God is realized through Divine appeals and human responses. This is essential because acceptance is only "in the Son." No individual can attain God's approval on his own. Nor, indeed, can someone wander into Christ, the Refuge of acceptance and safety. The employment of human resources, however superior they may appear, are not sufficient to induct you into the Presence of the Almighty! Nor,  indeed, can they put you into Christ. God uses means to draw us to, and place us in, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

The Place of the Gospel
      The Gospel itself is an appointed means through which the election of God is implemented. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you ("God chose you," NRSV, NIV) to salvation THROUGH sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth"  (2 Th 2:13). The "election of grace" does not exclude the work of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11), or our "work" of believing the truth (John 6:29). These are both accomplished through the Gospel, by which we are called into the divine purpose. As it is written, "Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 2:14).

     This process allows God to save us without compromising His own
character. It also allows us to be saved without violating our personhood. God appeals to us through the Gospel to receive what He has prepared for us. He will not force it upon us, for that would override our volitionary powers. In such a case, salvation would not be salvation at all, but an imposed state of acceptance--an intellectual absurdity. A leader cannot make the people love and honor him. First, he must provide them with a reason to do so. Second, His personal character must justify such an expression. Both are abundantly
true in the matter of salvation! Those who receive the salvation of God will find Him to be everything the Gospel represents Him to be.

      Lest we oversimplify this matter, God DOES bring influences to bear upon the human spirit that constrains a proper choice. Even Saul of Tarsus found it difficult to kick against such "goads" (Acts 9:5). The Lord can send recalcitrant Jonah down to the depths of the sea in a fish's belly, thereby making the proper choice more likely, so to speak (Jonah 2:1-9). Human choice, as essential as it is, does not occur independently of Divine influence. He draws, the Spirit convicts . . . etc.

Conformed to Christ's Image
     The "election of grace" involves us becoming like Christ Jesus.  Adoption was predestinated in the Son--i.e., being part of the divine family! Again, this is accomplished by means. The Lord does not simply speak conformity into you, He employs means to bring you into the process. "Through these ("glory and goodness," v 3) He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the  corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (2 Pet 1:4). Until the saved give due consideration to the "exceeding great and precious promises" of God, no progress will be made in their conformity to Christ's image! They may "try" with all of their might, but they will achieve nothing until they fasten upon the
promises. They are the appointed means! And, when we have considered the promises, and experience conformity to the image of His Son, it is still the "election of grace" that is the basis for their acceptance! God uses means--but it is He who uses them!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know I am what I am by the grace of God. While I did come to You, it was You that drew me. I am free, but it is You who freed me. I am forgiven, but it is You that forgave me.  An awareness of Your love and of its applicability to me was brought on the wings of the Gospel.  I know You use means to accomplish Your purpose. In Jesus' name, give me grace not to exalt the means above Your Person--yet to humbly use them, give thanks for them.

-- TOMORROW: IT IS ALL IN THE SON --