Romans 11:1-6
1 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. 2 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?
3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.”
4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (ESV)
God has not rejected His people because:
- He is saving big sinners.
- He still has His remnant.
If we say that salvation is also by works, we destroy the very meaning of grace.
The reason for our salvation lies not in any works that we have done. It is true for every Christian. Among the billions that will enter heaven there will not be a single one there because their good works, but the finished work of Christ alone. Grace is the only grounds on which sinners can enter heaven. In contrast, over the lintel of hell are these true words: ‘You enter by your works.’
You are mistaken if you think that God chose you because of your good works. He chose to save you because of what Christ did. Your good works followed your salvation.
It’s not your cuteness, but the penalty, power and presence of sin that made the cross necessary.
What we believe about God’s grace is that God is the Father who comes running down that lane to embrace the prodigal before the prodigal utters a word.
How are we to respond to God’s free grace?
- Be humble.
- Pray for hardened unbelievers.
- Share the Gospel freely with everyone.
- Sow the seed of God’s Word.
- Exult in the God of grace, praise and thank Jesus for your salvation.
- Don’t think that you are excluded from God’s Grace.