March 16: THE ELECTION OF GRACE
Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Romans 11:5
One of the dogmas that has caused some to be “ashamed of the gospel of Christ” is the misunderstanding of predestination in the Scriptures. In some churches, this idea mushroomed into church doctrine, assuming that God “elects” who would be saved and who would be lost ahead of their births. Such an idea paints God as capricious and unfair (it actually reflects petty characteristics of the gods in Greek mythology). But a thoughtful look at the use of the word predestined in Scriptures can clear away this misrepresentation of God: For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . . (8:29)
The fact is, He “foreknew” that all would need redemption, therefore His plan of salvation is for everyone. All are invited to accept this amazing plan. It is accurate to say that God’s will for everyone is to be conformed to the image of His Son. But God never forces His will upon us.
The very next verse reinforces the idea of God’s will: Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called (v.30a). Beloved, you can know for certain that His appeal, His call, is to everyone. It is also wise to understand that the enemy of souls is active in our world for the purpose of keeping you from hearing God’s call. The “name of his game” is distractions! The problem of distractions in our modern world is getting worse by the hour.
Whom He called, these He also justified (v.30b). Those who do not hear the call are choosing to listen to other voices in the world. Therefore, they may not know of the justification for past wrongs that was provided at the cross. It is a covering—the robe of Christ’s righteousness—that He means for us to wear. This supernatural covering is His grace, freely provided for all who are in a relationship with Him.
Let us look at this word election: we understand it to mean choosing, but it is not a one-way word. Salvation is freely offered by His grace, and the response on our part is faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, we see that election in the Bible is used to illustrate a love relationship. The same is true in our everyday use also. When a certain man asks a certain woman for her hand in marriage, if she says “yes!” then she immediately becomes his bride-elect. Neither is it a one-way word in political elections. The candidate chosen by the voters chose to run for office in the first place.
It was agreed upon, before our world was created, that He would pay the price of redemption Himself. The greatest tragedy is to refuse the offer of divine grace!
…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6