The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Romans 11:5-6,
"So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."
As Paul explains to his readers why it it is the nation of Israel had not embraced Jesus Christ, and why there was opposition to the gospel from that quarter, he quotes Elijah's complaint to God: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me", Romans 11:3. It is a quote from two places in 1 Kings 19, verses 10 and 14. Paul utilizes God's answer to Elijah's complaint to answer the question, "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." Romans 11:4. He makes the point, "there is a remnant chosen by grace." Verse 5. Paul's point is that although the nation as a whole has not embraced Jesus Christ in faith, many individuals have, such as himself, verse1. These are those that Paul describes as God's chosen ones, his "elect", verse 7.
So who are those that are called the "elect"? Who are God's chosen ones? The whole of the letter is a discussion of salvation by faith. Many point to Romans 1:16-17 as the identifiable theme of Romans, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Closer to the context of our verse above, Paul focuses on the nation of Israel and observes their choice to pursue God through their own efforts at keeping the law, "I can testify about them [the Israelites] that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Romans 10:2-4.
In speaking of Israel as a nation Paul says, "They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith." Romans 11:20a. He goes on to say that God is not done with Israel as a nation, "... if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again." Romans 11:23. It is all about faith!
What makes salvation such a wonderful expression of God's grace is that he has made it available by faith! This is God's election: all who will embrace him in faith are those he takes for himself! God wants those who want him. What a gift this is!
What if I am not so intelligent? Not an issue, I just need to trust in Jesus Christ!
What if I wasn't the most successful in life? Not an issue, I just need to trust in Jesus Christ!
What if my marriage failed or my kids turned out not so good? Not an issue, I just need to trust in Jesus Christ!
What if I am not the most popular kid on the block? What if I have pimples? What if I'm broke? What if I have not behaved well? What if I'm overweight? What if I'm not a pillar of the community? What if I don't listen to Christian music all day? What if I have ADD? What if I didn't send in my "faith promise pledge" to that TV preacher? What if I suffer from depression?I just need to trust in Jesus Christ!
Salvation is a gift of God's wonderful, matchless grace! He loves us and has opened wide his arms. He wants all saved, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4. Salvation by faith: what a gift this is!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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