I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:1-6

God has shown time and again that there is a remnant of Believers – those chosen by grace – in the world. It’s comforting for us to know that the remnant exists. This remnant is not considered a remnant because of its works; it’s considered a remnant because of grace. Coming to faith in Christ is by God’s grace. Alone. Nothing else. Nothing we could do. There’s nothing else to be done. We need to get that out of our heads that we can earn or work for our salvation. Jews come to Christ like that; Gentiles do too.

I know it seems like I’m belaboring the point but we easily slip into a “works” mentality. It’s not at all wrong to want to work hard for the Lord. In fact, it’s refreshing to see it happen. None of that work, however, gets us into heaven or saves us. We can do nothing to add to Christ’s “work” on the cross.

Nothing.

How great a salvation is that!!