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 17 of 18
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE THE WORD
Do not be afraid to use words given by the Holy Spirit. The word "elect" does not connote a cunningly devised fable. This is a word and a concept given to us by God. It accents the CAUSE of salvation, and can be a great source of comfort to you. Jesus and the Apostles used it freely. Their use of the term consistently makes for confidence. It calls upon men to have faith in God--to put their trust in Him, and not be dismayed by circumstance. Let the Word speak to your heart! These are verses not referenced in the remainder of this study.
Hear Jesus Himself!
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for THE ELECT'S sake those days shall be shortened" (Mat 24:22). "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Mat 24:24). "And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Mat 24:31). "And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together HIS ELECT from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven" (Mark 13:27). "And shall not God avenge HIS OWN ELECT ("chosen ones," NRSV, NIV), which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?" (Luke 18:7).
Hear John the beloved!
"The elder unto THE ELECT lady ("chosen lady," NASB, NIV) and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth" (2 John 1:1). "The children of thy ELECT sister ("chosen sister," NASB, NIV) greet thee. Amen" (2 John 1:13).
Hear Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles!
"Therefore I endure all things for THE ELECT's ("chosen," NASB) sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10). "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GOD'S ELECT ("whom God has chosen," NIV)? It is God that justifieth" (Rom 8:33). "Put on therefore, as THE ELECT of God ("chosen ones," RSV, NRSV, "God's chosen people," NIV), holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" (Col 3:12). "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of GOD'S ELECT ("chosen of God," NASB), and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness" (Titus 1:1).
Hear Peter, An Apostle to the Jews!
"The church that is at Babylon, ELECTED ("chosen," RSV, NASB, NIV) together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son" (1 Pet 5:13). "ELECT ("chosen and destined by God," RSV, NRSV, "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God," NIV) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (1 Pet 1:2). Those who experience some clarity in understanding "the election of grace" will find "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" increasing in their hearts (Rom 14:17). They will come to possess a greater measure of the "full assurance of faith" (Heb 10:22), and will come to the throne of all grace frequently and confidently (Heb 4:16; 10:19ff). A theology that excludes "elect," "election," "predestinated, and "chosen," is a flawed one. It will inevitabl bring to man a view of salvation that is of man, through man, and to the glory of man. It should not surprise us if "confusion of face" (Ezra 9;7; Dan 9:8) does not occur where such a theology is embraced. PRAYER POINT: Father, thank you for speaking with words that challenge the heart and intellect. I see that salvation is simply too great to be pressed into the small mould of human opinion. In Jesus' name, deliver me from the oppressiveness of man-made theology.
-- TOMORROW: THE REVOLUTIONARY IMPACT OF THIS TRUTH -- -- WEDNESDAY: A new series, "WHEN BAALI BECOMES ISHI"