AP

Romans 9:30-32  What then shall we say?  That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.  Why not?  Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.  They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

Here is the very essence of the Gospel of God’s grace: our salvation is a gift we receive from God’s gracious hand, a gift that is truly a gift, something we can neither earn nor deserve.  ‘Mercy’ is not receiving what we do deserve; ‘grace’ is freely receiving what we don’t deserve.

God graciously gave his covenant people, the Jews, the Law of Moses – a set of rules for living which, if properly understood and applied, would make them realise that obedience to the Law, if exercised with a glad and willing heart, would turn out to be a wonderful source of benefit and blessing, because their personal and communal life would then conform comfortably with the very purpose for which they were designed and created – a ‘perfect fit!

Conversely, obedience toi the Law was never meant to be something they could offer to God to earn his favour, because it would inevitably turn out to be something that was impossible for them to do unless he intervened on their behalf!  But they missed this vital point, and so, when Jesus came to fully achieve this intervention on their behalf, they failed to recognise him and they rejected him.  The very thing that should have been their joy and salvation – Jesus fulfilling the Law perfectly in their place, and then dying the death they deserved as their substitute – became their ‘stumbling-stone.’

How important it is for us to get this right.  A very important question for us all to ask, and answer honestly, is: “Am I, like them, seeking to obey God’s Law so that I will go to heaven; or am I seeking to do so since this is the most reasonable and fulfilling thing to do because I already know I am going to heaven because of Jesus’ perfect righteousness, and what he has already done for me by his life, death, resurrection and ascension?  “To walk and work the Law demands, but gives me neither feet nor hands; a better hope the Gospel brings: it bids me fly, and gives me wings!”

“A debtor to mercy alone, of covenant mercy I sing; nor fear, with your righteousness on, my person and offering to bring.  The terrors of law and of God with me can have nothing to do; my Saviour’s obedience and blood hide all my transgressions from view.  The work which his goodness began, the arms of his strength will complete; his promise is ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’, and never was forfeited yet.  Things future, nor things that are now, not all things below nor above, can make him his purpose forego, or sever my soul from his love.  My name from the palms of his hands eternity will not erase; impressed on his heart it remains in marks of indelible grace.  Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the promise is given;  more happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in heaven”   (Augustus Montague Toplady).

– Bruce Christian