Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
The contrast here should be obvious to all. Once again we are shown that salvation is a gift of God. It is not God that is unrighteous. He has proved that over and over again. As we will see further on in this book, Israel has been cut off at the stump and the Gentiles have been grafted into the root through Jesus Christ.
Salvation is by faith as we see throughout this book. It is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
In verse 31 we see the result of ritualism. Religion without life is worthless. Most religions have not figured this out. Years ago the hymns were too “old fashioned” and we needed to liven things up. So more choruses were introduced and subtly but intentionally the music became more worldly. Then “Christian rock” was coined. It was never Christian but it was rock. Of course there is bluegrass and southern gospel, etc. All of it was designed to entertain and keep the younger generation coming. That crowd still has not realized that they are dead. Paul was directed to address this problem among the Jews, but it applies to Gentiles as well.
Israel had the law of righteousness. They were still observing some of the law but not by faith. They were just doing it as a ritual. They wanted to live as they pleased, but they wanted to look as though they were righteous. The Pharisees were the prime example of that. They drew from parts of the law but they corrupted it so bad that it was worthless. Jesus warned:
Matthew 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
God is so much wiser than man. He knows what is in the heart of man. Those who want to make a mockery of His gift of salvation may fool people now, but they will never fool God and the end of those is not good. In fact it is destruction.
As we see in verse 32, Israel was guilty of trying to work their way into God’s favour. They refused to hear the Word of God. They failed to see the blessing of surrendering to God and knowing His peace and forgiveness. They distorted the law and it became a stumblingstone to them.
In verse 33 we see that God knew all about this as well. No one can outsmart God. It is the fool who declares there is no God. Those who would take advantage of the grace and mercy of God have nothing now and nothing for eternity.
God directed the apostle Paul to quote two more Old Testament passages to finish off this chapter.
Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Jesus Christ is the tried stone. He is the precious corner stone. He is the sure foundation. Those who would be saved must humble themselves and come to God on His terms. We have looked at this many times.
Cain was the first to try to develop his own religion. He took great offence to God rejecting his efforts. God did not change His terms for Cain. God did not change His terms for the wicked in Genesis 6. God created man to glorify Him. It was not a light thing for Him to bring the judgment of the flood upon mankind at that time. It was no light thing for Him to provide His Son the Lord Jesus Christ as the substitute for the sin of man. It is no light thing for Him to watch the multitudes of people, both Jew and Gentile who scoff at His gift and insist on having it their own way.
If you are reading this and not saved, when will you stop fighting. You cannot win. Millions have tried before you came along and none of them won. The wise person surrenders to the God Who gave the righteous law. Know Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and be set free from the bondage of sin and know His peace in your heart.
Find a good church to attend today and listen to the Word of God. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved and serve Him. You will never regret it. If you insist on having your own way, you will regret that one day very soon.
No one that places their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will be ashamed. That is God’s promise to man. God cannot lie. His blessings are there for all who will turn to God in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Pastor Bartel
