Romans 9:30-33, Salvation By Faith In Jesus 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.

The Jewish people reject Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is tragic for a people so nigh to God and yet so far from Him. In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus told the story of the coin that went missing in the house (Luke 15).

Luke 15:8-10 (KJV) ⁸ Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? ⁹ And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. ¹⁰ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 

There are those who are within the community of God’s people and yet their heart far from God. Coming to church on Sunday but hearts yet unrepentant. Perhaps, second and third generation Christians like the times after the death of Joshua.

Just like the Jewish people, who have God so nigh to them. The Holy Scriptures entrusted to their care as a testimony to Jesus Christ, the theme of the Old Testament Scripture. How can they be lost? If the Jews are lost, we can imagine how sad the plight of Gentiles!

The surprising turn of events by the hand of God is that the Gentiles exercised faith to find righteousness or salvation through the merits of Jesus Christ., the Jewish Messiah. Whereas the Jews stumbled rejecting Jesus their Messiah.

Thank God for simple faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is the greatest gift anyone can ever hope to possess. There is a chorus for your encouragement:

Only Jesus, Only Jesus

Only He can satisfy,

All my burdens are turn to blessings

When I know my Lord is nigh.

Amen.