For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. That opportunity is reserved for those who have already proved themselves worthy to rule, servants of God, the firstfruits. Hebrews 9:11-15 shows the redemption from our sins is of Christ so that we can "receive the promise of eternal inheritance," which occurs at the return of Christ (Luke 21:27-28). Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. ", Second Timothy 1:9 informs us that God "has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. In this state of death, the sinner is utterly unable to respond to any spiritual stimulus and therefore unable to love God, obey Him, or please Him in any way. The last two to be sealed, set aside, given the final stamp of approval may be the Two Witnesses, who die only three-and-a-half days before Christ returns. In the example Paul uses, He favored Jacob, but the same is true of all whom God calls. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Just as in Deuteronomy 7:7-8, His calling of us occurred out of the good pleasure of His will. Such people are named the "elect" in the Bible. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org, will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. To a nation which did not call on My name. Romans 9:11 tells us that God personally determines whom He will favor for His purposes. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel.read more.But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”. Romans 9:11 tells us that God personally determines whom He will favor for His purposes. He has begotten us again to a living hope. For who resists His will?”. Because we are the apple of His eye, and because He is preparing us for something, Jesus Christ will faithfully discharge His duties as High Priest in our behalf. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for. L This spiritual remnant is what several New Testament writers term "the elect," those who have been called and chosen by God through grace. And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory. For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. It has everything to do with His initiating and choosing us because He wants us, not because of anything that we may have done. The word elect is used 17 times in the Bible. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.