In Romans, Paul reminds us
that “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace.” (Rom. 11:1-6) A “remnant” is a part of a greater piece or
body. It may be a small piece but it is still a part of the whole. Paul makes
reference to Elijah who sat down under a juniper tree in despair and
discouragement and begged God to die, thinking that he alone was left who truly
believed and served the living God. God’s words to Elijah revealed just the
opposite. “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have
not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” 1 Ki 19:18) Not
everyone had bowed to the idolatry of the day, not everyone had been deceived by
the false prophets of the age and not everyone had gone in the cowardly way of
unbelief. There was still a “remnant.” And so it is in this hour, “there is a
remnant according to the election of grace.” God in His sovereign grace has seen
to it. There is a remnant of men and women who have been brought to hear the
gospel of the grace of God. Over every obstacle they have been brought, through
every Satan-set barrier God has brought them. They have forsaken their own
righteousness, their old experiences, their past traditions and have come by
God’s sovereign power to trust Christ alone. They did not do it on their own,
they were effectual called out of this fallen race and out of the darkness of
religious error. They are not many when compared to those who remain in darkness
but they belong to the Son of God, love Him, hear His Words, plead His blood,
bow to His reign and follow Him. The Lord has promised it: “And I will gather
the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and
will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear
no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.” (Jer
23:3-4) Let us never fail to remember in these times of great ungodliness,
religious blasphemy and apostasy, God still has His elect people. It is not
possible that they shall be deceived and not possible that they shall fail of
the grace of God. They are His. He chose them, sent His Son to redeem them,
calls them by His Spirit through the Gospel of His glory and keeps them by the
power of His grace. They will bow to Christ but to no other. They will hear His
voice but not another. They will follow Him but not another. They are a remnant
but they belong to Christ. Oh to be in Christ and thereby be in that
remnant.