THE STUMBLING BLOCK OF WORKS

ROMANS 9:22–33

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it

(Romans 9:30–31).

As we come to the end of Romans 9 we find Paul saying that God had always planned to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He quotes from Hosea 1:10 and 2:23, showing that the salvation of Gentiles is grounded in God’s sovereign decision to show mercy to them (Romans 9:24–26). At the same time, Paul quotes Isaiah 1:9 and 10:22–23 to show that God often brought judgment upon Israel, and that this judgment was based on their sins (Romans 9:27–29).

Now Paul draws his argument together, in verses 30–33. He states that the Gentiles have obtained salvation even though they did not pursue righteousness, while Israel has not obtained salvation, though they did pursue a kind of righteousness. This is an elaboration of Paul’s doctrine that salvation does not come through our righteousness but through the grace of God.

How is it possible for God to reject people who pursued righteousness? Paul answers this in verse 32, “Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” That was the tragic error of Israel, and it is also the tragic error of all too many people in the church today. The Jews of old thought that by their own righteousness they could earn salvation. The believing Gentiles understood that their righteousness did not count before God, and received salvation simply by faith.

The Stumbling Stone

The Jews “stumbled over the stumbling stone,” says Paul (v. 32). The stumbling stone is Christ, the Rock of salvation. With the appearance of Jesus Christ it became clear that there were not two ways of salvation. Either you put your trust in Christ and Him alone, or you seek to work out your salvation on the basis of your own merit. Jesus said that we are not good enough to save ourselves, and that was His offense.

CORAM DEO

In our charitable society we always strive for pluralism. While this is a civil imperative, it is religiously impossible according to the Scriptures. Many people, even within the church, struggle with the words of Christ that He alone is the only way to God the Father. Have you come to the place where you affirm Christ’s unique role as Savior?

For further study: Isaiah 8:11–22; John 14:1–7

tuesday

september