Romans 9

It is difficult to just browse read Romans isn’t it?  There are so many teachings and messages that if we do not take the time to read and reflect, it is very hard to get anything out of our reading of this letter of Paul.

Which makes writing about it even more difficult.

But let me try and express what I got out of reading today’s passage…

Bible Passage:  Romans 9

From verses 22-33, Paul, who was a Jew himself, pointed out the main problem with the Jews at that time.  The Jews did not pursue the righteousness which is by faith.  Instead, they thought that it was their right (birthright) as Jews to inherit God’s kingdom.  They also felt that if they were to do “good works’ (supposedly) in obedience to God’s laws, all will be well with them and God.

But the big spanner in the way they thought was Jesus!

The Jews did not believe in Him at all.  Maybe it was because Jesus did not meet their expectations of what a Messiah is supposed to be like.  Typified by the Pharisees, their tithing and offerings were works that they felt should be rewarded by God.  And Christ was an obstacle in their belief because the salvation by faith in His grace did not make sense to them at all.

This serves as a great warning to us today.

Some of us have been in Church for a long, long time.  I was literally born into the church some 48 years ago.  And by virtue of our long association with the church and fact hat we are still attending services regularly may also give us the wrong impression that I can be saved simply because of my spiritual heritage,  And because I have been serving in the church for such a long time, I ought to be among the elect because of my good works and service.

As Paul pointed out – the Jews had the spiritual heritage.  And many of them also had the good works that accompanied their faith.

But it is also clear from Paul’s message that it is not these 2 things that one becomes righteous.

The righteousness that we must pursue from God comes through faith.  Not just blind, routine like faith but a faith that actually believes in His word and promises.  It is a faith that obeys the commandments and does the will of the Heavenly Father.  It is a faith that accepts the sacrifice of Jesus and responds by also going out to preach the Gospel.  It is a faith that is accompanied by works and action.

It is the way of the world that we get rewarded for what we put in.  So we tend to think that righteousness is the reward for keeping the word of God and doing good.  But in the salvation plan of God, that could not be any further away from the truth.

The key thing for me is to trust in Jesus and His word.

Paul quoted Isaiah when he wrote…

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

~ Romans 9:33

When we trust in God – our trust is placed in the hands of the Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God.  He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!  He is the One and ONLY TRUE GOD.

I know for sure… I am convinced… I am persuaded… (:

That this God is the God who will lead me home one day.  And as I do that, the devil would try and distract me.  The world may mock me for my belief.

But there is this promise that if I persevere and live a Christian life with faith, I will not be put to shame.  Because God will not be ashamed of those who were not ashamed of him.

So don’t take our status for granted today.  Instead, work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that our God will never let us down.