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Letters of Truth - Spirit of the Word - Covenant Eschatology - Introductory Note - New Stuff RESERVED-- BY THE GRACE OF GOD
by Ray Prinzing"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. If by grace, then it is no more of works."
(Rom. 11:5-6)One of the precious truths which shines its light upon our pathway, is that God has a firstfruits-- a remnant-- a called out election of grace. While ultimately, "IN Christ shall all be made alive," yet it is "Every man in his own order," (I Cor. 15:22-23), and right now He says "Fear not, LITTLE FLOCK; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32). While men seek to fill large stadiums, great auditoriums, and revel in their numbers, (and we do thank the Lord for whatever good that is accomplished), yet God is sovereignly fulfilling His own purpose of drawing to Himself His special remnant, saying, "I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion." (Jer. 3:14). And in these apprehended ones, He is working a profound work of grace-- changing us from glory to glory into His own likeness and image. And for all our separatedness, each of us standing in our own place, we find that there is a unique oneness because the work He is doing within is being wrought in us all. It is spoken of in Rev. 14:4, "These are they which follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being THE FIRSTFRUITS unto God and to the Lamb."
"It was nothing you could or did achieve, it was GOD'S GIFT OF GRACE which saved you. No one can pride himself upon earning the love of God. The fact is that what we are we owe to the HAND OF GOD UPON US. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do those good deeds which God planned for us to do." (Eph. 2:8-10, Phillips).
The subject is GRACE-- the grace of God which works in us effectively to bring us into the fulness of our redemption. It is grace which is totally opposite of all self-effort. It is an amazing thing to see how God, in His unfathomable mercy and love, is able to lead on, imparting a deeper understanding of truths which we never dreamed possible before He shed His light upon them. Grace means you are not doing it, but it is God all the way.
Paul taught more about the grace of God than any others recorded, making it clear that there is no mixture, if it is grace, it is no more works; if it is works, then it is not grace; it is one or the other, but not both. Then, to delve right into the heart of the matter, we find it most interesting that he uses the record of Elijah for AN EXAMPLE OF GRACE. He tells us of how Elijah prayed, "Lord, they have killed Your prophets, and digged down Your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." (Rom. 11:3).
Let us tell it in today's scenario: We have heard the call to come out of the world-- "Come out from among them, and be separate says the Lord, and touch not the unclean: and I will receive you." (2 Cor. 6:17). Yet while the crowd was surging one way, God was drawing you in a far different way, causing you to be totally misunderstood by the world, and even by many in the religious crowd. They are involved in what to you is UNCLEAN, on a sub-Christ level, not anointed by the Spirit, it is a projection out of the soulish realm, a personality massaging, building a kingdom for man. And so you identify with Elijah in all of this-- it is religious confusion, it is devoid of life, filled with flesh works, and I/we are left ALONE, a misfit.
Then Paul speaks of an appraisal of God's answer to all of this. HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE, this is how things really stand-- verse 4, "But what says the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal."
First of all, note that God says, "I have reserved unto Myself..." All of this is UNTO HIM, for His purpose, fulfilling His sovereign plan. When God reserves UNTO HIMSELF it is because He has a vital interest in those whom He has reserved to Himself. It is not a work to build a great name for some man, but that His own name might be exalted. We are being gathered together UNTO HIM. It is a re-focusing of attention, away from the world, away from evil, away from the slain prophets, away from the broken altars, that we might SEE and be joined unto Him. One could easily describe all of this in present day religious involvements. We know how they slay the prophets with their character assassinations, if you do not believe as they say, they dub you as being part of a false cult. We see the altars of consecration broken down, and worship is replaced with rock-and-roll music with a jazz beat. It appeals to the flesh, but does little to bring one into an awareness of His presence. You desire to glorify the Lord, and they parade the flesh, and stroke one another's ego with their self-centered accolades.
But God answers back to Elijah, and to us of today, "I know all about these ways of men, but I do not want you to think upon slain prophets, the broken altars, etc. not even upon your own aloneness. Let there be a re-focusing of attention, and be reminded, I am still in control. I have done something that reveals MY GRACE in a manner you have not even considered-- SEE ME!"
"WHAT SAYS THE ANSWER OF GOD?" Consolations from men have their place, and sharing fellowship with others of like precious faith can be very stimulating. What we hear from others can confirm to us what He is saying, or, it may be that they plant a seed-thought which in due time God quickens to you. But there are times when we need A DIRECT ANSWER FROM THE THRONE. We want more than religious cliches, and trite phrases, we want far more than just some man's interpretation of doctrinal issues. We sincerely want THE ANSWER OF GOD-- what does HE say about all of today's processings? How does He respond to the deep inner cry of the heart?
Elijah's complaint: "I am left alone, and they seek my life." But God's answer comes ringing back to him, "NO WAY, you are not alone, BECAUSE I HAVE RESERVED UNTO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND." In another place Paul clearly states, "The foundation of the Lord stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His." (2 Tim. 2:19).
It was GOD'S DECISION to favor, TO GRACE seven thousand, thus excluding them from the evil of idolatry of that day. It had nothing to do with their faith, or that they were more devout, etc. God did not say that He went through the camp and found a godly man here, and another over there, and He counted out to Himself seven thousand worthies. It does not say that! Rather, by His sovereign grace He apprehends unto Himself by divine selection, drawing to Himself those whom HE KEPT from bowing their knee to Baal. You see, beloved friend, we are not any better than all those around US. We all are of the same lump-- same raw material, same humanity realm. "Has not the Potter power over the clay, OF THE SAME LUMP to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" (Rom. 9:21). "We also are men of like passions." (Acts 14:15). In fact, Paul also writes, "God has concluded them ALL IN UNBELIEF, that He might have mercy upon all." (Rom. 11:32). God shuts them all up together-- Israel, and all the nations among whom they were scattered. Nothing left for anyone to brag about-- all are in unbelief, and then in His time He reveals HIS GRACE to each one.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isa. 53:6). Yet HE RESERVES SOME from being swallowed up in these iniquities of man. He reserves some from being given over to idolatry, not by virtue of their piety, but because of HIS GRACE. "But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord." (Gen. 6:8). It was grace that gave Noah the knowhow to build an ark. There was no way for Noah to have known, apart from God, that there would even be a need for an ark. There was no previous act to follow-- no precedent for such an undertaking. But GOD GRACED HIM!
GRACE ALWAYS INITIATES, NEVER FOLLOWS. Grace is not a result, but a CAUSE!
God is not obligated to bless us. Grace is not obligated, but freely gives because it is the nature, THE CHARACTER OF GRACE, to unconditionally give. Furthermore, grace is not partial, it is PURPOSEFUL. Ultimately grace will favor every man, but grace does so according to the purpose of God. If we understood more of God's purpose, we would not get so up-tight about many things. All is being wrought "according to HIS PURPOSE, as He works all things after the counsel of His own will." (Eph. 1:11).
So, in the outworking of His plan, God says, "I HAVE RESERVED." The Greek word used here is "kataleipo." Kata-- down; and leipo-- to leave. Combined we have "to leave down, or behind, thus, to reserve unto oneself." All of mankind is rushing headlong into the pursuit of self, BUT HE HOLDS OUT A REMNANT, HE LEAVES BEHIND AN ELECTION OF GRACE, a people that are reserved to walk His way. Only as God awakens in us a desire for Him, can we respond to follow His leading. Truly it is the miracle-working of His grace that while others dash headlong into the things of the world, yet HE HOLDS SOME OUT-- for He reserves to Himself a people in whom He will work the wonders of transformation-- firstfruits of a new creation species that will be to His glory and praise.
The Old Testament record gives: "I HAVE LEFT Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:18).
"I have left..." "I have reserved..." I have retained a people who have not gone after the idols of the heathen, they remain separated unto Me. The prophet said it well, "Except the Lord of hosts HAD LEFT US a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah." (Isa. 1:9). Why weren't we all wiped out? Because GOD CHOSE TO GRACE A REMNANT. Not because of any merits found in man, but because of His own sovereign working and plan. "It is OF THE LORD'S MERCIES that we are not consumed, because HIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22-23).
When Abraham and Sarah were dwelling in Gerar for a time, Abraham conspired with Sarah to say that she was his sister, hoping that this would prevent the men of Gerar from killing him, so they could have Sarah. And with this misrepresentation, the king sent for her. That night in a dream God came to Abimelech, and said, "You are but a dead man, for the woman which you have taken; for she is a man's wife." Immediately Abimelech began to plead his cause with the Lord, that he was innocent of any deliberate wrongdoing. "And God said unto him in a dream, Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart; FOR I ALSO WITHHELD YOU FROM SINNING AGAINST ME: THEREFORE I DID NOT LET (suffered) YOU TOUCH HER." (Gen. 20:3, 6). Absolutely amazing! Here is God's grace in action! God withheld the king from sinning. "I did not let you touch her." Suffered (let)-- the Hebrew word here is "nathan" meaning-- TO GIVE. Thus God said to the king, I didn't give you over to the deed, I GAVE YOU TO THE KEEPING-- kept by the grace of God.
How little do we know of the countless times we have been GRACED BY GOD, kept from doing wrong because HE WAS RESERVING US UNTO HIMSELF. For sure, when desire and opportunity meet, man certainly is in a precarious place-and were it not for the grace of God, giving us over to THE KEEPING, who knows what we might have done. How awesome are the words, "I WITHHELD YOU FROM SINNING AGAINST ME."
Jacob was discussing things, and said to Rachel and Leah, his wives, "You know that with all my power I have served your father. And your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; BUT GOD SUFFERED HIM NOT TO HURT ME." (Gen. 31:6-7). The processing was in God's control, and God did not GIVE Jacob over to be hurt by Laban. All the restraints were HIS hand, and into the situation comes the GRACE OF GOD, for only as it furthered the plan of God, could things happen to those whom God had apprehended. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise You: the remainder of wrath shall You restrain." (Psalm 76:10). GRACE orchestrates the events so that they bring, glory to God, and are ultimately used for the good of mankind.
Take Job for an example: "The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not put forth your hand on him. - Behold, he is in your hand, BUT SAVE HIS LIFE." (Job 1:12, 2:6). Thus far, and no farther, because God has marked out the boundaries, and all must proceed as He has PURPOSED.
When God opens a door, none can close it."There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: But GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Cor. 10:13).
When God closes a door, none can open it.GOD IS FAITHFUL, His grace does much more abound, and He will not give you over to suffering beyond the point where you can bear it. In mercy He will (Amplified says) "also provide a way out - the means of escape to a landing place - that you may be capable and strong and powerful patiently to bear up under it." That is the marvelous working of the grace of God, for "I HAVE RESERVED UNTO MYSELF," all these that are graced by My special care.
God had spoken to Jacob to "go up to Bethel," and so Jacob promptly set out to do so. "And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob." (Gen. 35:5). It was not some reputation of how fiercesome these sons of Jacob were, nor how valiantly they could fight-- but it was THE TERROR OF GOD which held them in restraint-- Jacob and all his family were BEING GRACED BY GOD, thus their adversaries were held in check. Likewise in this day, we can be KEPT from pursuit, because we are kept by GOD.
David, and his band of men, had served as a protecting wall for Nabal, so that the marauding bands could not steal Nabal's sheep, and so one day David sent ten of his young men to Nabal to see what he would give them as a thank you gift for their kindness toward him. Nabal refused to offer any thing. Then David was ready to avenge himself, until Nabal's wife, Abigail, came with a special present, and some Godly counsel. And after his temper cooled, David said to Abigail, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, which has kept me back FROM HURTING YOU." (1 Sam. 25:34). Yes, God used the wife of Nabal, but IT WAS GOD CONTROLLING the situation-- it was GRACE IN ACTION, reserving, keeping, lest David would do things he later regretted.
"I the Lord have called you in righteousness, and WILL HOLD YOUR HAND, AND WILL KEEP YOU." (Isa. 42:6). The reservations are on-- they are presently holding your hand, keeping you, strengthening you, protecting you, and with great love working all things together into your good, and for His praise.
"Except the Lord KEEP the city, the watchman stays awakes in vain." (Ps.127:1)
"He will not suffer your foot to be moved: He that keeps you will not slumber." (Ps. 121:3). The watchman may fall asleep, and awaken too late to sound a warning, but our KEEPER will not slumber. Situations come along and by the time we are aware of what is happening, it is too late to change or modify the events. So we cry out for God's mercy, and discover that HIS GRACE WAS RESERVING US right through all the circumstances
Our prayer is surely expressed by the Psalmist, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties." (Ps. 141:3-4). Thank God for His grace that keeps us from saying what we ought not to say. Thank God that HE HOLDS US from becoming involved with the men that work iniquity. We would not eat of their dainties, i.e. not experience their evil involvements. Thank God that HE IS RESERVING HIS FIRSTFRUITS, no matter how much sin abounds.
I dare say, the prayer-- "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." (Matt. 6:13), is a prayer which emphasizes our weakness, and we are telling God that without His grace, we fall. For, I dare say, IF He removes the restraints, we do what comes naturally-- "the flesh lusts against the Spirit." (Gal. 5:17). Whether prompted by the carnal mind, or by the oppressive spirits of the world that solicit us to do evil. Thank God, therefore, for the promise of God, that we shall be "KEPT by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed..."
(1 Peter 1:5).Truly, "The Lord KNOWS HOW to deliver the godly out of temptation, and (THE LORD KNOWS HOW) to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." (2 Peter 2:9).
Punished-- kolazo-- to restrain, TO PRUNE, so as to bring about a change, correction in behavior. Grace is overwhelmingly evidenced in His judgments. Praise God, HE KNOWS HOW to keep us out of trouble, and reserve us unto His day of glory. But, I dare say, He also knows how to keep certain people up to their necks in trouble, while He chastens and subdues the will that is so strongly set to do its own thing. THE PRUNINGS OF GOD are also used to reveal more of His grace, for even in all of this, people are upheld by His mercy, else they would not be able to survive the process that He appoints for them. What a mighty God, a GOD OF GRACE, we serve!
The TRIUMPH OF GRACE is certainly revealed in Jeremiah 50:20. "In those days, and in that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and for the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: FOR I WILL PARDON WHOM I RESERVE." How marvelous!
The iniquity of Israel, and the sins of Judah, almost defy our imagination. God once told them, "Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters as you have done." (Ezekiel 16:48). Yet God promises a day of restoration for all Israel, as well as for Sodom and Gomorrah. Yes, the judgments will be severe-- but GRACE WILL FORGIVE, and out of every vessel that is marred in the hand of the Potter, He will make of it again a vessel as pleases Him. Every one reserved unto the day of judgment will also be pardoned by God, as His grace reaches out to every man, and Calvary's triumph is fully revealed. GRACE does not keep man for an ultimate eternal torment, nor for a day of annihilation, but grace holds till the day of correction into His righteousness. RESERVED UNTO SALVATION-- ONLY GRACE CAN DO THAT!
"They shall all know Me from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer. 31:3). So all-inclusive is this working, that we let it stand on its own promise. ALL FORGIVEN-- so declares His grace.
Now, men often try to contrast grace and law, forgetting that it was GRACE THAT GAVE THE LAW to help preserve until the better, the Saviour, came to bring life. The law "was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come." (Gal. 3:19). "The law was given by Moses, but Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17). The law established the death penalty, and served as a restraint. But GRACE establishes the LIFE PRINCIPLE, and transforms and makes us into a new creation species which cannot sin.
This, too, we have observed, that we each have our own special GRACES from God. "What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did receive it, why do you glory (or boast), as if you had not received it?" (I Cor. 4:7). If you have any gift, ability, blessing, you received it not because of any, merit, but simply because GOD GRACED YOU. So, Paul writes, why do you act as if it was always yours, and not something given to you? We acknowledge that we are what we are by the grace of God and without Him we are nothing.
So, Paul writes, "For I would that all men were even as I myself (single). But every man has his PROPER GIFT (charisma, GRACE) of God, one after this manner, another after that." (1 Cor. 4:7). Paul received grace to live his life, AND SO DO WE ALSO. If I do not have your gift of grace, I cannot do what you do. We all have our individual graces from Him, that we might do what HE calls us to do. But we are not to compare our gifts and graces, to glory in what we have, and another does not have. TO OUR OWN MASTER we are accountable, and we do all to His glory and praise. We learn to be at peace with our calling in Him, for we realize it is uniquely ours by His grace. Thus grace brings us into rest-- no more striving to emulate another, but we would yield to His inworking, to become what He purposes us to become.
"I do not frustrate (belittle, think down, disannul) the grace of God." (Gal. 2:21). Whatever He has done in your life, do not think it "small" because of what you have seen Him do in another. There is no great, or small, in the operations of His grace, but we are being fitted into His body in just the right proportion as He has purposed for us, and HE looks upon His handiwork in us, and says, "a vessel in Whom I am well-pleased."
WE ARE GRACED, we are RESERVED, not to run the way of the world, nor to bow down to Baal (religious icons of our day), nor are we graced to yet remain entangled in religious Babylon. (Though in His sovereign working some are led to remain in the religious systems of our day, for reasons of His purpose.) But we are reserved, graced, to become expressions of His life. We are called to follow the Lamb wherever He goes. HE has A REMNANT, AN ELECTION, A FIRSTFRUITS, which are graced to be conformed to His image.
An election of grace. What a statement is this?
He reserves to Himself, lest the idols you kiss.
There's no merit in man, but we glory in Him,
Were it not for His grace, hope, and vision, would dim.
But you're kept by His power, and reserved for His day,
'Tis the marvel of grace that you walk in His way. Amen.