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 18 of 18
                                
THE REVOLUTIONARY IMPACT OF THIS TRUTH
     Only those with the faith of Abraham are the seed of Abraham! Only those who have real identity with Jesus are accepted! As valuable as movements may be, none of them can save. It is not identity with a movement that saves! Being part of a vibrant congregation does not of itself make one acceptable to God! Having proper social ties does not waft one into Divine favor! Whoever God rejects IS rejected, and whoever He accepts IS accepted. That is not a piece of
rhetorical redundancy!

     Knowing this, Paul energetically sought to obtain divine approval by  divinely appointed means. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of (in) Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Phil 3:8-10). 

     Paul knew God's electing grace was in Christ alone! He does not choose men independently of Christ, but IN Him! While men haggle about the meaning of "the election of grace," those with understanding forsake all that stands between them and the One in Whom election is realized!

     Whatever you may think about "knowing God," there is a sense in which you are preeminently known by Him. That is the understanding that gives confidence and assurance. As it is written, "But the man who loves God is known by God" (1 Cor 8:3). Note, he does not say "can Be known," or "shall be known," but "IS known!" Again, it is written, "But now that you know God--or RATHER ARE KNOWN BY GOD--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" (Gal 4:9, NIV). There is no question about where the Spirit puts the accent in our salvation! We need to put it there also! 

     May this be your confession, "We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). That is the way it really is! it just remains for us to believe it, embrace it, and live in its power.

CONCLUSION
     We have walked in deep waters -- waters deep enough to swim in, and, but for the grace of God, deep enough to drown in! In keeping with the nature of these studies, this is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise of the subject. My purpose is to introduce key themes of Scripture, providing a broad overview of them.  The richness of spiritual things is opened to you in your
personal fellowship with Christ.

     I recommend "the election of grace" to you as a subject for meditation. It is rich and fertile soil for the increase of faith and hope. I realize there are abuses of this teaching, but abuse does not negate truth. Doctrines that have been corrupted are to be clarified, not shunned or neglected!

     You came to Christ, embracing Him by faith--but you did not do it alone. God was active in YOUR salvation also! Hear Jesus speak! "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me" (John 6:44-45, NIV). To be sure, you were involved in the process! Your will became active, together with your affection and energy. At some point you were intrigued by Jesus, and wanted the salvation He had to offer. But God was also imminent in the process! He drew you--without compromising His character or violating your will. 

     He did not drag you, He drew you! And why did He do so? Because He desired to! He was motivated by His own will. He knew--and finally you did also--that you were not qualified to live with Him. He knew you had fallen and could do nothing to recover yourself. He knew you were incapable of fulfilling His righteous law on your own. Yet, He wanted you to be with Him. He knew you would want Jesus when you heard of Him, and thus accepted you in Him. It is your faith in and affection for His Son that makes you so precious to Him! It is not your capacity, or your achievement, or your potential--it is your faith in His Son!

     That is an "election of grace," and it is still operative! Whether you speak of the recovery of a chosen people, the transformation of decadent Gentiles, or the return of a wayward disciple, "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace" ("chosen by grace," RSV, NIV, "God's gracious choice," NASB) (Rom 11:5). Do not shun to believe it. God
will lose nothing by being seen as One who "elects," and you will gain everything by acknowledging that truth.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know that in me dwells no good thing. I praise Your name that You have drawn me with the cords of man and the bands of love. I thank You that my salvation is based upon Your will, which I find most delightful. receive my praise in the name of Your Son, to whose image You are conforming me.

--TOMORROW, New Series: WHEN BAALI BECOMES ISHI --