Chosen by Grace

Chosen by grace, for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:5b, 29)

Rom. 9:29-36; Ex. 33:19; Isa. 60; Jn. 15:16; Rom. 1:28, 8:28-38

What Is God Saying?

We must note that the context of this passage has to do directly with Jews and Gentiles. They are blessed together. They can and must bless each other (Isa. 60). God has chosen Israel, and he has chosen the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will never reject either one. Still, there is a more personal and individual application in this passage. Many Scriptures (e.g. Acts 4:28, 13:48; Rom. 8:28-30) indicate that God had individuals in mind in the matter of election. Certainly, Romans is a great handbook for true faith and good works in the life of an individual in relationship to others in the real world.

God's love is as free as it is unlimited. No one has earned salvation. No one can (Rom. 3:23, 6:23). No one can claim to be so good that God will accept them. God says, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy" (Ex. 33:19). This leads to Paul's statement, “So then he has mercy upon whom he will and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.” To some, this is unfair and contradictory, but those whose hearts are hardened are those who won't listen to him. No one's heart is ever hardened against their own will. The force of this teaching is that if we are chosen, it is by grace.

How Does This Apply To Us?

It’s easy to worry when so many things that we have counted on and taken for granted seem to be falling into shambles around us. Promises are made sincerely and abandoned easily. Moral standards are set aside as outdated, outmoded, unneeded, and unwanted. We are like a ship with a crippled rudder. But God's irrevocable grace should lead us to trust, not worry; to service, not bitterness; to gratitude because God is in control and “everything lives by his power and everything is for his glory” (Rom. 11:36 TLB).

Pray With Me

O God, your grace never changes, and your love never fails. I am thankful that I may rest on that foundation. All my needs, my dreams, and my future are safe in you and with you. In all the turbulence that surrounds me, I can stand on this fact: the foundation of your grace and truth stands sure, it can never be shaken, much less removed. That is the truth I trust. That is the foundation on which I stand. That gives me the courage to run with patience the race set before me.

In the name of Him who has shown us the glory of God. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

We pray with thanksgiving for being chosen by grace. We thank him for wonderful gifts and a holy calling that he will never recall. We pray constantly and fervently for others. "Whoever believes in [the only begotten Son of God] will not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). “Before he made the world, God chose us to be his own” (Eph. 1:4 TLB).