Faith Matters

Today we are reading from Romans 9:30-10:4.

 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.”
Chapter 10:
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Paul is clearly telling his listeners this: Faith Matters!

Doesn't matter if you were born part of Israel or not.  Doesn't matter if you are pursuing God in the things that you do.   Do you believe in Christ and his work on your behalf in saving you?

DO YOU?

If you do, if I do... it's all good.  See...it's written right here:
“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.”


If not, what am I building?   A thing of works?  Do my devotions, be kind to others, go to church, prayer x times per day, do my community service etc?     God cares about that stuff BUT if I don't have faith all I'm doing is building a house of cards.   It's like I have this zeal for God... but I don't have the solid belief behind it to make it worthwhile or meaningful. 

Because we have to end with this truth. 
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Christ is the one who gives it all meaning.  Only Christ!  His action on our behalf, our belief in what his action means for us personally.  

So let us do this, let ME do this... let me not be ignorant of this truth, and stuck on doing things my own way.   For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  Let me not follow my own path and do my own thing.  Let me see Christ and how he is the source of righteousness, only him.

What say you?

Photo above courtesy of my brother Bill, a good amateur photographer. 

 

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