Tag: Remnant

JOHN COPIC

First Peter chapter two teaches that Christ is the living Stone. He was rejected by men but chosen by God and precious. Those who believe in Him are also called living stones. They are being built into a spiritual house. This house is not made of brick or wood. It is made of people who trust in Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone.

The Bible says that believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own special people. These words come from the Old Testament. In Book of Hosea, God told the prophet to marry a woman who had lived in sin. This marriage was a picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Some of Hosea’s children were given names that meant “no mercy” and “not my people.” These names showed that judgment was coming because of sin. Yet the same book promises that one day those who were called “not my people” would be called “sons of the living God.” Mercy would be shown again.

Peter uses this promise to describe the church. Those who once were not a people have now become the people of God. Those who had not received mercy have now received mercy through Christ. The church is the new Israel of God, but this does not mean Israel has been replaced. The true remnant of Israel, those who believe in Christ, are brought into the church. They lose nothing by trusting in Jesus. Instead, they gain the full blessing of the new covenant. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are united under one Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Romans chapters 9 to 11 explain, God has always preserved a remnant according to grace.

Not everyone believes. Some stumble over Christ. Isaiah 6 speaks of people who hear but do not understand and see but do not perceive. This passage is quoted many times in the New Testament. Even Jesus referred to it in Matthew 13 when He explained why many did not grasp His message. Their hearts were hard. They refused to turn and be healed.

This leads to the serious subject of reprobation. The Bible teaches both election and reprobation. Before the foundation of the world, God chose a people for Himself. Others were left in their sin. All humanity fell in Adam. Because of this fall, no one seeks God on their own. Salvation is by grace alone. Abraham himself was justified by faith, not by works, as shown in Romans 4.

Reprobation does not mean that God forces innocent people to sin. All are already sinners in Adam. God may leave people in their sin, and at times He may harden them as an act of judgment. Pharaoh is an example. In Exodus 4:21, God said He would harden Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh also hardened his own heart. In the end, God was glorified through both mercy and justice.

There are several truths to remember. First, election and reprobation are secret decrees. We do not know who the elect are until they believe. As long as a person lives, there is hope. The gospel must be preached to all. God uses the message of Christ to bring His people to faith. Dead sinners cannot give themselves life, but the Holy Spirit can make them alive.

Second, no one who truly desires Christ will be turned away. The call of the gospel is real. People are told to repent and believe. Those who come do so because God has worked in their hearts. Those who remain in unbelief choose their sin and will answer for it.

Believers today are part of one holy nation. They are priests who offer spiritual sacrifices. They proclaim the praises of the One who called them out of darkness into light. Once they were rebels without mercy. Now they belong to God.

Salvation is not earned. It is a gift of grace. God will be glorified in showing mercy to His people and in judging sin with justice.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Ephesians 2:8