GRACE- part 5

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I have always been wondering about those who believe that they can win the grace of God by their doings. If anyone has followed this series from the start, he or she will know by now that grace is a gift from God to undeserved sinful people. This grace of God was not implemented as a plan B. No. God instituted it before the foundation of this world. Grace is the catalyst of His salvation. This brings us to the doctrine of election. Election is one of the forgotten doctrines in the bible. Some preachers don't preach it because they say it's too hard to understand. That is true. No one can understand why God chose Israel out of the many nations in the world. We don't know why God chose the tribe of Judah. In the same way, we don't know why God chose Bethlehem to be where His Son would come from. Likewise no one can fathom why God, in His glorious grace chose the twelve disciples from the many people. If i read the accounts of election in the bible, they don't just make sense. All these people who experienced the choosing of God were not the favorites. They were the undeserved. Imagine for a moment the situation of Jacob and Esau. Jacob the thief. The one who stole his brothers birthright and blessings. Look at this 'And he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing." (Genesis 27:35, NASB)' . He was a deceiver. But what happened at last? . God still chose him instead of Esau. Changed his name into Israel and made him the blessed nation. Malachi was right when he wrote "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob; 3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness." (Malachi 1:2-3, NASB) . God's love for Jacob wasn't based on any merit.

5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. (Romans 11:5-6, NASB)

This text before us today makes it clear that God has a remnant of people set aside for His grace in this present age. His choice is not based on merit. It's based on His grace. If it's based on merit, then grace will cease to be grace. For grace must be a free gift to undeserved people. There are some people who have problem with this election. They try to wrap their minds around it to know why God chooses the undeserved as the recipients of this wonderful grace. No one can explain this doctrine to you. You just need to believe this from the bible (Romans 9:11, Romans 11:5 , 1 Thessalonians 1:4 , 2 Peter 1:10, Matthew 22:14 , Mark 13:20, John 6:70).

The link between grace and election.

From Romans 11:5, we can see that God has a remnant people, a chosen people for this grace, which is not based on any merit. And from the verse 6, we see Paul contrasting grace with works. This is revealing to us why grace is not obtained by any action. Because God elected the recipients even before they came into this world. So how can it be based on them? He has already planned everything. Let's observe this verse from Ephesians chapter 1;
'4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4-6, NASB)'
My friend, if you're a Christian, then it's because God chose you even before He formed the earth. You have believed because He has already worked in your heart upon believing the gospel. There are others too who may be wondering about how they can know they are part of this chosen people. If you're reading these words this of mine, then I want to tell you that the fact that you've come to this category of Christianity to read a post here, with a sincere heart is a sign that God is already working in your heart as an elect. If your heart is after Christ, if you want to know the truth, if you want to be holy and desire the presence of God, then it's a clear sign that God has chosen you. If not you wouldn't have being able to come to him. Jesus said 'No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44, NASB)' . For those who have not repented, listen to me. He's ready to receive you than you're to accept his Him. Surrender your life to Him and He will accept you. Though He had elected people to this grace, He still commands us to repent and believe. And those who will repent and believe are the ones He has chosen.

Also we can observe from the verse 6 that Paul argues that if it's by grace that the remnants have received this salvation, then it can't be of works. For grace and works are two opposite things. But we should not lose sight of works too. Some Christians are made to believe that there is no work in Christianity. That's a lie. 'if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.'

Thank you for following today's exposition. God bless you. You can leave your comments