Romans 9:30–33 (ESV) —
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
NOTE: These verses are some of the strongest verses in the bible on the futility of works as a means of justification (Harrison). The Messiah was always the means of salvation, but Israel saw the Messiah as a physical salvation from its enemies and not as a spiritual salvation from its true enemy, its (and ours) sinful nature. I fear that even the church loses sight of this truth when it focuses on rules versus the heart. The church can pursue religion and lose out on real life. Jesus said to the church at Laodicea that they nauseated him and he wanted to spit them out of his mouth. I believe that happens when faith is replaced by activities, rules, and personal financial gain as the priority in life.
PONDER:
- Have I subtly given in to the thought that I am saved because I am a good person?
- Who am I really living for: God or myself? It will show in how I spend my money and my time
PRAYER: Father, I pray for the church that you would wake them up to the importance of the great commission. We are here with a mission, and the mission requires participation. Some think they have faith, but their faith is really in themselves and not in Jesus.
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