The righteousness which is of faith

Bible Reading: Romans 9

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

How are people saved? Does it matter whether you are a Jew or a Gentile? Are Jews saved in a different way than Gentiles? The Bible clearly answers that question:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Jew and the Greek are saved in the same way. So the Bible says that Israel did not attain to the law of righteousness because they sought it by the works of the law. In other words, they tried to be righteous by doing good. This is not just a Jewish thing! This is religion in any of its forms. Religion gives you a set of do’s and don’ts and says if you keep the law, you are good and if you break it, you need to do better. But good is not good enough! The Bible says:

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Israel did not seek righteousness by faith in Christ. They sought it by their good works. However, many Gentiles heard the message of Christ and believed on him and were counted righteous because of their faith. This is the only way anyone will ever be saved!

Jesus Christ is a stumbling stone and a rock of offence. Self righteous people always stumble over Jesus. They think they are pretty good people and deserve to be saved. They think they can attain righteousness by keeping the law. Jesus says we must believe on him. Do you know this wonderful truth? Do you trust in Jesus Christ? If you have, you will never be ashamed! But, if you are seeking to attain righteousness by the works of the law, you will be very ashamed because your good works do not look so good in God’s eyes apart from Christ.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Don’t stumble over Jesus Christ; trust him!

In Christ,

Rody

The glory that shall be revealed

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Followers of Jesus do not always have things go their way. I don’t know if you have experienced that or not, but you will eventually find it to be true. There is much suffering in our world and there has been since the fall. This world is cursed because of Adam’s sin. The world does not function in the perfect, pristine environment that Adam and Eve lived in before they disobeyed God. There is pain, sickness, disease, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and evil. Why? Because man’s sin affected the whole world!

Christians suffer in many ways. Sometimes it is from physical ailments and sometimes it is from persecution. However, the Bible says that if you were to try and compare the sufferings of this present time to the glory that is coming when Jesus returns, you would not even be able to compare them. The glory that is to be revealed is so much greater than the sufferings of this time that when we see that glory we will forget the worst sufferings of here and now!

What do we do with a teaching like this? This is an encouragement to keep on keeping on for Jesus! Let the Holy Spirit fill you and live for Christ now. When you suffer, look forward to the resurrection and be encouraged. The best is yet to come! Hang in there! Don’t get too comfortable here because this world is not our ultimate home. Hebrews tells us of incredible sufferings that happened to some of the saints. How did they endure such suffering? They were always looking forward!

Hebrews 11:13-14 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Do you confess that you are a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth? Are you seeking a country while passing through this world? That is the life of a Christ follower. Live for Jesus as you travel to that country he has prepared and invite fellow travelers to join you because that country is better than this one! Once you get there, you won’t want to come back!

In Christ,

Rody

The work whereunto I have called them

Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

The church at Antioch was blessed with multiple prophets and teachers. There came the day that as they were serving God and fasting the Holy Spirit spoke to them telling them to separate Barnabas and Saul for a particular work. They were called of God to take the gospel to farther into the Roman world and preach to more Gentiles. This is God’s way of working. In the midst of the church and its day-to-day serving God, he calls out missionaries. The church should be the place where teaching and sending is done.

These prophets and teachers were helping the disciples at Antioch to grow in their faith. There were no seminaries or Bible schools – that is what the church did! That is what the church should still do. Disciples should be able to grow right where they are and when they are called and separated by the Holy Spirit for a particular preaching task, it should be the church that sends them.

They did not go about this task lightly. After they had heard the voice of God, they fasted and prayed again making sure they knew the will of God. The church at Antioch had benefitted much by the teaching of Saul and Barnabas. They had grown but now it was time for the Holy Spirit to lead two of their beloved teachers on to new harvest fields. Are you in a church that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Do you benefit from the teaching of the gifted men who shepherd the flock? If you are you are blessed! Take every advantage of the gifts God has given to the church. (That is what the Bible says evangelists and pastor / teachers are.)

Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Jesus gives gifted men to the church. These men are gifted to help the church grow in grace. He also calls gifted men to go to those places where they have not yet heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t be surprised if you hear the Lord calling you to help others know him. It is what he does!

In Christ,

Rody