Romans - Part 5: ELECTIONSample

A Remnant of God’s Own, Chosen by Grace

What are we to make of God giving somebody over to their own sinful desires?

According to the Bible, people would rather choose law over grace. The nation of Israel, as a whole, was no different. They believed because they were God’s chosen people who “kept” the 613 laws of the Torah to the best of their ability that they would be right before God. They looked down on the Gentiles for not keeping the moral laws of the Torah, but also, the ceremonial laws as well. So, what about the nation of Israel; are they lost? The apostle Paul reminds us that God always keeps for Himself a remnant, chosen by grace for a particular purpose. As believers, we know full well what that purpose is: to go into all the world and make disciples of ALL nations, including Israel.

I admit, it would be problematic to be raised in a religion where culturally and religiously your rightness with God is based on your ability to practice the laws of Torah. God would have to reveal to you your complete inability to keep the law. Giving us over to our pride-fueled behavior (keeping the law) might lead to utter despair. God giving you what you desire may be your discipline. The Lord disciplines those He loves. Discipline by God is an act of grace to reveal grace. In this passage, God uses the nation of Israel to bring about the gospel of grace to the Gentiles. to “us Christians.” Then, he will use Gentile Christians to bring about the inclusion of Jews to faith in Christ. God will always keep for Himself a remnant, a remnant of grace, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. Standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”… Rev 7:9-10

-Eddie Hoekstra