Key Verse: "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying," - Romans 11:2 KJV
Paul now begins one of the most important sections of the book of Romans. He has spent much of chapters 9 and 10 explaining Israel's unbelief and their failure to receive Christ as the promised Messiah. That naturally raises an important question: Has God rejected Israel? Paul's answer is immediate and emphatic: “God forbid.” Romans 11:1 In other words, absolutely not.
Israel's unbelief did not mean God's Word had failed. It did not mean God had forgotten His promises. And it did not mean God had abandoned His purposes.
Paul Himself Is an Example
Paul begins with his own testimony: “For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” Romans 11:1 Paul himself was an Israelite.
Yet Paul had believed in Jesus Christ. His own salvation was evidence that God had not completely rejected His people. Paul continues: “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.” Romans 11:2 There was still a believing remnant.
God had not abandoned His purposes concerning Israel.
Elijah Thought He Was Alone
Paul then takes us back to the days of Elijah. Elijah had reached a point where he believed he was the only faithful servant of God remaining. Paul says: “Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel?” Romans 11:2
Elijah believed Israel had turned so far away from God that he was essentially alone. But God told him otherwise. “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” Romans 11:4
Elijah could not see the whole picture. He saw what was immediately around him. God saw what Elijah could not see. There were still thousands who had remained faithful.
That is an important lesson for us. Sometimes God's people can become discouraged because they look at the world around them and think, “Am I the only one?” But God sees what we cannot see.
He knows His people. He knows those who belong to Him. And He is always working beyond the limits of our perspective.
A Remnant According to Grace
Paul then makes a profound statement: “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:5 Notice those words: “according to the election of grace.”
The believing remnant was not there because they had somehow earned God's favor. It was God's grace. Paul immediately explains: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.” Romans 11:6
Grace and works cannot be mixed together as the basis of salvation. If salvation is by grace, then it is truly grace. We do not earn it. We do not purchase it. We do not make ourselves worthy of it.
God saves by grace. This is exactly consistent with the message Paul has been preaching throughout Romans.
God's Grace Does Not Depend Upon Human Achievement
This brings us back to the central message of Romans. The righteousness of God is not something we manufacture. We cannot build enough good works to make ourselves righteous before God.
We cannot become worthy enough to deserve salvation. We come to God as sinners, trusting in the righteousness He provides through Jesus Christ.
Paul has already told us: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
And then: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24
Grace is God's undeserved favor. And the more clearly we understand our own inability to save ourselves, the more precious grace becomes.
God Keeps His Promises
There is another important truth here. Israel's unbelief did not make God unfaithful. Human failure does not cancel God's faithfulness. God remains God.
His character does not change because people reject Him. His promises do not become unreliable because people fail to believe them.
Paul is defending the faithfulness of God. And that should encourage every believer. Because if God's faithfulness depended upon our perfection, we would have no hope.
But our hope rests in who God is. Paul later asks: “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13
- Our faith may waver.
- Our understanding may be incomplete.
- Our circumstances may become confusing.
But God remains faithful.
- There are times when God's work may seem small.
- There are times when it may seem like righteousness is losing and evil is winning.
- There are times when you may look around and wonder where God's people are.
But Romans 11 reminds us: God sees what we cannot see. Elijah thought he was alone. He wasn't. Paul's generation saw widespread unbelief among Israel. Yet there was still a remnant.
God was still working. And God is still working today. You may not see everything He is doing. You don't have to.
Faith means trusting God even when your view is limited. We often see only one small piece of the picture. God sees the whole picture.
Life Application
- Don't allow discouragement to convince you that God has stopped working.
- Don't measure God's faithfulness by what you can see around you.
- And don't measure your relationship with God by your own perfection.
Remember that salvation is “according to the election of grace.” Grace brought you to Christ.
- Grace sustains you.
- Grace teaches you.
- And grace will ultimately bring you home.
When you feel alone, remember Elijah.
- When you feel discouraged by the condition of the world, remember the remnant.
- When you feel unworthy, remember grace.
- And when you wonder whether God will keep His promises, remember this: God is faithful.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. When I become discouraged and feel like I am standing alone, remind me that You see what I cannot see. Help me trust You when I don't understand what You are doing.
Thank You that salvation is by Your grace and not by my ability to earn Your favor. Keep my heart humble, faithful, and trusting.
Help me remain steadfast even when the world around me seems to be moving in another direction. Thank You that Your promises do not depend upon human strength, but upon Your faithfulness.
Help me keep my eyes on You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
