ROMANS 11:1-6 A REMNANT I understand the need for the Spirit of God to clarify the position of His chosen earthly people the Jews, because I am a Gentile, and we might think we are the only ones God is saving. It would seem like the Israelis have turned almost agnostic because of all that has happened to them as a people. There are some Jews who still try to keep the law as a means of acceptance by God. Others have added Jewish traditions to their efforts to be brought into the blessing of God's favor as a people.
It is only in my lifetime they have again become a nation separate from all the other nations on earth. So, were all the Jews of the "Diaspora" hopelessly lost without any access to God? No! Among that nation, the same as in all nations, "he that feareth him (God) and worketh righteousness is accepted with him." Any individual who responds to the grace of God and puts their personal faith in Christ alone for salvation is accepted by God when they are born again. Thousands of Jews, "a remnant," have been, and are being saved in various places today, by grace. They have been chosen by God's sovereign grace.
These people do not stand out in the nation and have not been known specifically as Jews because God had called both Jews and Gentiles to be "one new man" - the body of believers in which we are "neither Jews nor Gentiles, but the Church of God." They are saved through faith in Christ, not because of nationality or religion. No one is saved because they deserve it. We cannot earn salvation in any way; we are saved by grace alone. Whether one is part of the remnant of the Jews or is a Gentile; all are without any claim on the mercy and grace of God. When God in sovereign grace brings us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, all we can do is accept that salvation by grace with our thankfulness and praise to God. Grace and works do not mix in any way when it comes to the salvation that is declared in the Gospel.
The reason for grace cannot be explained - God's grace defies full description. There are no barriers that grace can contain - God's character is the place of its conception. But we can, and have, experienced the blessing Of God's grace being shown to man. The words of the Gospel are God's way of expressing All the good that comes to us from His hand.
Every "good and perfect gift" is to us given That we might appreciate His grace. From the smallest benefit to Christ's side that was riven, We experience grace and its pathway trace. In grace the Father sent the Son, To be the Savior of the world. The grace of Christ was plainly shown, Under the banner of love unfurled.
The grace of God in many ways Is shown to us each day. When we understand what God's Word says, And the price He had to pay To redeem us to Himself and keep Us by His grace, then we see the works of man Cannot avail us as we seek To do the best we can.
Jews and Gentiles, all mankind together, Cannot add anything to God's free grace. Not one part of our most earnest endeavor Can take the place of simple faith. We may never know all the far-reaching effects Of grace, because in the ages to come; God will be unfolding far more aspects Of His grace than He has already done.
"Father, I spent the weekend with a lot of people whom Thou hast saved by Thy grace. What joy and consolation there is when such a "remnant" in this world come together! How much more will there be when together we will show "the exceeding riches" of Thy grace. I praise Thee for such divine favor, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."