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March 3
ELECTION OF GRACE
by Ray Prinzing
"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according
to the election of grace." (Romans
11:5).
All men shall have to
admit that when grace comes to us, there is no qualification on our
part whereby we merit such grace, for grace is never given on merit
or human worthiness. Grace is given because there is a need
for it, and because God loves to meet our needs. If there were
words to first be done to qualify, then it would no more be grace.
It is well said that "the barrenness of Sarah's womb was her
greatest asset." for this great need became the arena wherein God
could manifest His grace, and give her a son.
While the vast majority
of mankind are held in darkness and death until that future date of
His purpose, there is at present time a remnant being called to
"to come out from among them," (2 Corinthians 6:17), as a
firstfruits of that new creation species through whom He shall
ultimately reveal His grace to all men. It is a sovereign act
of God - He calls and chooses, makes known His grace unto us.
Then, having received His grace, we are put to the test to see if we
shall respond in obedience to this grace, and walk worthy of this
calling. We are warned not to do "despise, belittle, disannul
that grace so freely given to him, but yielded himself to its full inworking, so he could, also say, "By the grace of God I am what
I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but
I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace
of God was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10).
The wonders and glories
of this inworking grace is that we might become His vessels of
mercy, so that in the ages to come He might shew the riches of His
grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians
2:7). His display vessels, to manifest to all creation the
grace which shall also be given to all, though it be "every man in
his own order." (1 Corinthians 15:23).
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