A Devotional Thought From Romans

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.     Romans 11:5,6

          In this chapter Paul is discussing the fact that though the people who were called God’s people had as a body, in large part, refused the gospel revealed in Messiah Jesus, that there was a remnant, a piece of the whole, which had seen Christ by faith, had found Him credible, and had trusted in Him as personal Savior and received salvation. How was it possible that that group, that remnant, that representation of the people who had followed the law of works had actually found forgiveness and new life and salvation by Christ?

          Paul answers that question in a word, grace (11:6). They had received God’s grace by receiving Jesus Christ into their hearts. Grace is a favor, undeserved, which God disposes. He gives it away and offers it to anyone who will love His Son.

          One does not receive spiritual salvation grace because he doesn’t lie, or is not unfaithful to his obligations, or never has a wicked thought, or is perfectly sinless, or follows a strict law of separation from anything that he thinks might be improper. If salvation were offered to that person, it would be payback, it would be earnings, it would be tit for tat, it would not be grace. So if a person is doing everything she does in life to get saved and get to heaven, and is depending on her works to get her there, she does not have the grace of salvation. Grace is the key, and without it being given to you, you cannot unlock the door of the kingdom of heaven.

          Grace is received by anyone who believes in Christ as Savior. It doesn’t depend on what one has done (it will have dramatic changing effect upon the deeds of one who receives grace so that his/her deeds will change from evil to good) but grace is freely bestowed on the cheater, the liar, the angry, the greedy, you name the sin, and that person is then cleansed of his sin and sent on his way rejoicing, and on his way the grace changes his behavior.

          Salvation is by grace not works. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost: Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).