Romans 11:5 - Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
God always has provision, even among His people, those who are called by His name, set free of sin and death, victors in His sight. We who are His children, and there are few in the grand scheme of things, are His remnant. There will always be a remnant. No person in this world will be able to totally eliminate God's people.
Those not part of this remnant are blind to the Truth. But as the remnant it is up to us to draw in those who are blind. I believe it is those who are the hardest to receive the Truth who will be most appreciative of God's saving grace. We can recall what brought us to this point in our lives. It's our testimony. It's our story of how God made Himself known to us. It's our story of how we, too, once were blind and now we see, as the hymn Amazing Grace tells us.
In the Book of Romans Paul is teaching that the Gentiles became the remnant because the Jews would not believe that Christ was their Messiah. They could not "see" the Truth that Jesus was He who was so evident in prophecies, sacrifices and feasts throughout their Old Testament books. Today it is similar with a twist--anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ is considered blind. It's a narrow view, for sure, but the Truth.
God always has provision, even among His people, those who are called by His name, set free of sin and death, victors in His sight. We who are His children, and there are few in the grand scheme of things, are His remnant. There will always be a remnant. No person in this world will be able to totally eliminate God's people.
Those not part of this remnant are blind to the Truth. But as the remnant it is up to us to draw in those who are blind. I believe it is those who are the hardest to receive the Truth who will be most appreciative of God's saving grace. We can recall what brought us to this point in our lives. It's our testimony. It's our story of how God made Himself known to us. It's our story of how we, too, once were blind and now we see, as the hymn Amazing Grace tells us.
In the Book of Romans Paul is teaching that the Gentiles became the remnant because the Jews would not believe that Christ was their Messiah. They could not "see" the Truth that Jesus was He who was so evident in prophecies, sacrifices and feasts throughout their Old Testament books. Today it is similar with a twist--anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ is considered blind. It's a narrow view, for sure, but the Truth.
I think of the men and women who are students at Teen Challenge centers all across the United States and the world. Their lives were hopeless, being caught up in drugs, alcohol and other devastating addictions. Most of those who have gone through the program re-emerge with a new life. Through the program they are shown the redemptive powers of Christ. Their lives are transformed. They are living testimonies of God's love for them and His strength to overcome their adversities. Their addictions and lifestyles blinded them to the Truth. But God's election by His grace was greater and now their testimonies are heard all around the world.
I have the privilege of knowing and working with some of these people at a local center. It's sometimes hard to even recognize if they are just volunteers, interns or currently in the program. There's a sweetness and a glow that comes from many of them. That's the power of God in their lives. Their eyes have been opened and they have been set free from the burdens of their sin.
It is we who have been changed by our God who need to "provoke to jealousy..." (verse 14) those we come in contact with. How can we speak the words to bring the message of Jesus so they will understand, especially when our testimony isn't quite as life altering as some? How do we explain that Jesus is the root as well as the vine of holiness and when we are attached, even grafted into that vine, we too are considered holy. (verses16-17)
I'll say it again--our God is an awesome God. He has so intricately yet so simply (if that is possible) planned out our salvation. He chooses, we accept. He calls, we answer. We are made into that remnant through the election of God's grace. That's it in a nutshell. How is it we hear Him? How is it God pricks our hearts and spirits? That's a mystery for sure. I'm just thankful He chose to call me.
Romans 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
I have the privilege of knowing and working with some of these people at a local center. It's sometimes hard to even recognize if they are just volunteers, interns or currently in the program. There's a sweetness and a glow that comes from many of them. That's the power of God in their lives. Their eyes have been opened and they have been set free from the burdens of their sin.
It is we who have been changed by our God who need to "provoke to jealousy..." (verse 14) those we come in contact with. How can we speak the words to bring the message of Jesus so they will understand, especially when our testimony isn't quite as life altering as some? How do we explain that Jesus is the root as well as the vine of holiness and when we are attached, even grafted into that vine, we too are considered holy. (verses16-17)
I'll say it again--our God is an awesome God. He has so intricately yet so simply (if that is possible) planned out our salvation. He chooses, we accept. He calls, we answer. We are made into that remnant through the election of God's grace. That's it in a nutshell. How is it we hear Him? How is it God pricks our hearts and spirits? That's a mystery for sure. I'm just thankful He chose to call me.
Romans 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
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