Sunday, July 5, 2020

Chosen by Grace (Romans 11:1-6)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 11:1-6
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

COMMENT

The whole "foreknew" verses "predestined" thing sometimes drives me crazy. If God foreknew, did He not know before we were created? And if so, is there really much difference between His foreknowing and predestination? I'm glad I don't have his job with my limited knowledge.

Either way you feel about the above subject, the point of the passage is that God does not desert those destined for salvation. That is what grace is all about. God gives grace, we don't earn it. So if God selects or foreknows of your salvation, you are secure. That is different from your knowing about your salvation, because many of us believe lies. So while we should have some assurance of salvation, there is also the element of testing our faith, making sure it is in line with the gospel. That is a tough enough job in itself.

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