Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The remnant of grace

11 So I ask, has God abandoned his people? Certainly not! I myself am an Israelite, from the seed of Abraham and the tribe of Benjamin. ² “God has not abandoned his people,” the ones he chose in advance.

Don’t you know what the Bible says in the passage about Elijah, describing how he pleads with God against Israel? ³ “Lord,” he says, “they have killed your prophets, they have thrown down your altars; I’m the only one left, and they are trying to kill me!” ⁴ But what is the reply from the divine word? “I have left for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

⁵ In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. ⁶ But if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.