God’s Faithful Remnant: Preserved by Grace
Romans 11:1–6 (NLT)
I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
Message
We studied God’s Open Arms to Rebellious Israel and His Revelation to the Gentiles from Romans 10:18-21. Then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel (1a)?
During the time of the prophet Elijah, king Ahab killed the prophets of God. People abandoned God, and worshipped Baal instead. Elijah thought he was the only prophet of God left alive who remained faithful to Him (3, see 1 Kings 19:10, 14). But God told him that He had 7,000 others who had never bowed down to Baal (4, 1 Kings 19:18)!
In the same way, a few of the people of Israel had remained faithful because of God’s grace (5). God’s grace cannot be purchased or earned through good works, but is freely given through His kindness (6). God’s grace is given to those who do not deserve it (6). Let us study God’s grace further through Romans 11:7-10.
