Romans 9:30-33, Be Not Ashamed of Christ
Romans 9:30-33 (KJV) 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.
God revealed His Laws to Israel as summarized in the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:20, after the giving of the Law, Moses said unto the people, “Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” The Law of God revealed the sinfulness of fallen man to seek God.
Over this time, God’s laws has been so distorted by the Jews, they have lost touch with its essence. During Jesus’ times, the Pharisees and scribes equated breaking of the 6th commandment with actual murder. But Jesus pointed out that when you are angry with your brother you have committed murder (Matt. 5:21-22). Jesus is pointing us to the heart – anger is from the heart and in the heart, the killing is already done before any action took place. The Lord is showing to us the righteousness and holiness of God as contrasted with man’s brand of holiness. Man’s righteousness of the law can only judge you as guilty when you take the action of committing actual murder. But God’s righteousness checks you at your thought life when in your heart, you harbour anger, you have sinned. Nobody sees it, but God sees, and God pronounces you guilty.
The essence of God’s law is nothing less than the expression of God’s character – His holiness and His love. True holiness and true love begins with a transformed heart. There is an inner holiness and love present in the heart. It is not a mechanical outward obedience of the Pharisees. That’s not true righteousness, Jesus pointed out.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus says the “form of godliness” taught by the scribes and Pharisees will not bring you to heaven. It’s a serious statement here. The Pharisee is one whom the people thought is an authority about things of God. He is a blind guide. This is what Jesus is pointing out and Jesus’ entire ministry is to point the way back to God through Him! He is the Lamb of God that will take away the sin of the world, to restore the broken relationship between God and man. He is the Mediator between God and man. Being fully God, He represented God and being fully man; He represented Man. He bridged the way back for sinful man to a thrice holy God. This is the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. This is the message the Apostle Paul brought to the Gentiles. Many were saved.
He is sad that his people, the Jews, would reject Jesus Christ. Last evening, while on the way to prayer meeting, one brethren testified, speaking to a Jewish lady that salvation comes by Jesus Christ. She could not understand the truth. She is invited to our Good Friday Gospel Service. We are praying that God opens her spiritual eyes to the truth. Amen.