We walk through Romans 11 and the dramatic story of Elijah to show why God preserves a remnant by grace and how that changes the way we live, pray, and speak. Paul’s opening claim sets the tone: God has not cast away His people. From there, we unpack Israel’s recurring pattern of drift and return as a mirror for our own hearts, then follow Elijah to Mount Carmel where fire falls from heaven, the people repent, and a single threat from Jezebel sends a weary prophet running. That whiplash becomes the lens for a deeper truth: courage fades when we rely on ourselves, but hope returns when we remember God’s quiet work and His seven thousand who haven’t bowed.

We dig into the remnant “according to the election of grace,” contrasting grace and works with Paul’s blunt clarity. If salvation is a gift, it cannot be earned; if it must be earned, it isn’t grace. That distinction isn’t abstract—it’s the difference between a faith crushed by striving and a faith sustained by Christ’s finished work. We talk about how Scripture protects us from spiritual stupor, how idols like approval and comfort sneak in, and why steady habits of prayer and simple witness bear fruit in ways we can’t always see. Along the way, we connect Jesus’ picture of the seed that dies and produces much fruit to a resilient life that chooses eternal gain over short-term applause.

Expect a grounded, practical invitation: keep praying for those far from God, keep speaking the gospel with humility and courage, and keep trusting that hidden faithfulness counts. God’s work often runs under the noise of culture, and that’s good news for anyone who feels alone. If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find it.

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.