Paul
the apostle referred to Elijah as he told the people in Rome how he
said, “Lord,
they have killed your prophets, and dug down your altars; and I am
left alone, and they seek my life”,
and he added, “Even
so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace”.
In
chapter eleven and verse six of Romans,
Paul referred to how God said to Elijah, “I
have reserved to myself seven thousand men”
where
we read:
But
if it
be
of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work
The
verse begins, “And
if by grace, then is
it
no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.”
Paul
began with the words, “and
if”
which means “and whether” “by
grace”
or “through that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness,
charm, loveliness and unmerited favor”, “then
is it no more”
which means “it is no longer or further” “of
works”
which means “pertaining to business, employment and that which is
occupied”: “otherwise”
or
“since and because” “grace”
which means “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness,
charm, loveliness and unmerited favor” “is
no more grace”
or “exist no longer as that which affords joy, pleasure, delight,
sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor”. Paul shared how
God's “election” was based upon His “grace”,
not “works”,
or His “unmerited favor” would no longer be involved.
The
verse goes on to say, “But
if it
be
of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work”
Paul
added the word, “but”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over that which was previously stated “if
it be of works”
or “whether it exists according to or down from business,
employment and that which is occupied”,
“then is it no more”
which means “it exists no longer as” “grace”
or “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm,
loveliness and unmerited favor”: “otherwise”
or “since and because” “work”
which means “business, employment and that which is occupied” “is
no more work”
or “no longer exists as business, employment and that which is
occupied”. Paul shared how God's “election”
could not be according to “works”
or
it would not be based upon His “unmerited favor”, and “business
and employment” would be nil and of none effect.
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how God choosing people
is not based upon their “works” but rather His finished
and completed “work” in His Son Jesus Christ. When Jesus
died upon the cross for the sins of the world, He paid “sin's”
penalty and extended the “grace” of God to all who receive
Him as “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise shall realize, no
amount of “works” shall ever earn the “favor” of God,
and when that is understood God's abundant “grace” shall
be poured out upon them.
Next
time Paul tells his readers,
“Israel
has not obtained that which he seeks for”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment