Romans 9:30-33 - By faith in Christ

In verses 30-33, Paul then went on to show how the Gentiles obtained righteousness. They received righteousness by faith. In contrast, the Israelites in their pride, persisted to pursue righteousness in the wrong way. They pursue it by work. Therefore, they did not attain it and thus, the Cross became a stumbling block to them. This has been alluded to by the Old Testament records in Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16.

 

Here Paul painted a mental picture for us, his hearers. In it he drew a huge rock representing Christ, right smack in the middle of a path, and showed people streaming towards Christ, the rock. And as they do, they found righteousness, rest and salvation by faith. Others, particularly the Jews, who were pursuing righteousness by works and chose to be blind to the rock, as a result tripped over it and ended in their destruction.  

In Romans 9 we see both divine choice and human responsibility working hand in hand. It’s not an either this or that situation. We must not adopt a passive attitude of doing nothing because God will do everything. Neither must we adopt the attitude that we must do everything by sheer gut and determination, all by self-will. Both attitudes lead to destruction. The right response and attitude is to come to Christ, the Rock, and rest in His finished work at Calvary and find in Him, our salvation full and free.  

We all began with faith in Christ and found our salvation in His finished work at Calvary. But we must continue to come to this resurrected Lord for our daily sustenance, refreshment and rejuvenation. Salvation is a journey not a point. In the journey be sure to make the Rock of Christ our abiding place. As we do, let’s continually seek the sunshine of His face and confess the wonders of His love and grace!