That Remnant

Paul, in the book of Romans, reminds us that “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 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 Kings 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 effectually 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” (Jeremiah 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!

-Gospel report by preacher Gary Shepard