By Pastor William Kang, InterHigh

Romans 9:22-33

“The implication for Jews was that they did not pursue… the righteousness which is by faith, but instead relied on their birthright as Jews or on their supposed good works in obedience to God’s laws.”   “The ‘stumbling stone’ was Jesus.  The Jews did not believe in him, because he didn’t meet their expectations for the Messiah.  Some people still stumble over Christ because salvation by faith doesn’t make sense to them.”

What warning does this passage give against Christians who presume upon God based on their own good works, service, or spiritual heritage? This gives a terrible warning that must be heeded:  I cannot presume that I am saved because of good works, service or spiritual heritage.  The Jews had all three of those things, but the text makes it clear that it is not through these things that one becomes righteousness.  Righteousness before God comes through faith—a faith that presumes my sinfulness and a faith that trusts God’s promise that his sacrificial work—sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.  When I have this kind of faith—trust in God—he credits righteousness to me.  It is more natural for me to think that righteousness is the reward for achievement, but when it comes to salvation that is not the case because the only way that I can pay for my moral sins is through my death

Think of the paradox of this passage, that those “who did not pursue righteousness” have obtained it. As a Gentile believer who “did not pursue righteousness,” how does this passage amplify my gratitude for God’s sovereign choice to provide Jesus as the savior of the world “to all who believe?” Yes this amplifies my gratitude.  Growing up, I wanted to know what that meaning of life was and I wanted to live forever.  I thought that perhaps one day, like in the Twilight Zone movies, science might find the cure for death and disease before I had to die.  And I had settled that the meaning of my life was to find happiness.  It was in college that I accepted the fact that science will never find the cure for death and that the pursuit of happiness is unfulfilling and, ultimately, unachievable (this world is fallen and will ultimately overtake me).  I am so thankful that God sent Jesus to die in the world.  Not only did I find meaning and eternal life, but I found a love relationship with God that makes love relationships with others possible.  God’s salvation plan provided much more than I ever wanted.

Reflect on the words: “the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” When I trust in God, I am placing my trust in the supreme authority, the supreme judge and the victor of this world.  When I trust him today, I can find the true way to live my life.  As I do so, the world may not agree and they may ridicule me.  But as I live my Christian life, I experience a robustness and confidence that loving God and others is the way that life should be led.  And in the end, when all is said and done, God will not be ashamed of those who were not ashamed of him.  Because there is no greater power than God, I will not be put to shame.