What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
Romans 9:30-33
As I was reading the word of God for my daily time with HIM, I was deeply touched by these 3 verses. There are two groups of people:
Those who try everything to follow the standards of God
Those who don’t try to follow God’s standard but have faith
Why did Israel not attain the righteousness she sought so long? Because she did not seek it by faith, but by works of the law, and because she stumbled over the way her Messiah came (Rom. 9:32-33). Because they did not seek it by faith, but by the works of the law, the Jews were ignorant of God’s way of righteousness by faith in Christ (Rom. 3:25-31 Gal. 2:16; 3:10-28). They went about to establish their own righteousness by works. They did not attain according to the Abrahamic covenant, which stands alone on the principle of grace through faith (Rom. 4:1-25 Gen. 15:6). They set all their efforts upon the law of works and imagined they were justified by outward observance of a few rituals. When the gospel came along offering free salvation to Gentiles as well as to Jews on the basis of grace and faith without works, they were offended and rejected it.
Having been raised in a Christian family, I’ve learned how to be sure to please God. And I believe it’s important to follow God’s path and commandments. It will protect our lives from many tears. But at the same time, we can see the Gentiles, those who didn’t have a religious education to follow the laws, who didn’t try to follow God’s standards and they were made right with God. And it was by FAITH that this took place.
The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”
My friends, it´s wonderful to know that it’s not by our efforts trying to follow God that we can make it. It’s only by God’s Grace through faith that we can be made right to get saved. I want to encourage all of us, to learn resting in God who paid the price so that we can be saved.
The human being is willing to complicate sometimes the process to receive salvation by trying to pay with its own sacrifices. But Jesus is not a religion. Jesus is a person who gave himself for us and by the Grace of God we can have a free merciful access to the eternal life through faith. Let’s shake off our “religious” rites trying to please God and let’s follow His principles. His way is to put our faith and trust in Him as a little child believes in his dad. As we simply trust in Him we will never be disgraced even when we have done something wrong. When the accuser is coming and telling you that you have not done enough or you’ve done something wrong, let’s resist him and open ourselves to the Holy Spirit who is this spirit of freedom and faith believing in God’s promises. Trust & Faith in God is our key to find Grace in the eyes of the almighty God despite our human weaknesses.
Prayer: My God, thanks so much that you’ve provided for our salvation by giving us Jesus-Christ your son. I believe He died and rose again being alive today. Through HIM, as putting my trust in you, by your Grace through faith I can be made right. Thank you God for this fantastic gift allowing me to enjoy freely this eternal abundant life
Quote: Trust & Faith in God is our key to find Grace in the eyes of the almighty God
Song: Give me faith – Elevation
