Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Is This The Stumbling Stone?

What is the stumbling stone, and what is the rock of offense?

Romans 9:30-33
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written:

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


Here's a question I have asked myself a thousand times before: If I know of my sinful failings, am I righteous just by faith in Jesus Christ?

It may be the biggest selling point for why one would be a follower of Jesus. Talk about incredible freedom we have in Him.

God sees me as righteous; neener neener boo boo


How about you? Do you spend time thinking about this too?

4 comments:

alvin said...

I know when God sees me He sees His Son because I am in Him and He is in me. And He loves me with an unconditional love. My sin has all been taken out of the way so it's not an issue concerning my eternal relationship. But as long as I'm in this body I will sin and when I do I need to confess it. That's agreeing with God, if I say I have no sin I deceive myself. My sin is ONLY a fellowship issue. The blood is first and foremost for God and He is satisfied and that is why I can come boldly into the Throne room of Grace. Just as in the OT Passover the blood was to be put on the doorposts and lintel that the Lord would see and Passover (Exodus 12:22,23). Christ our Passover has completely satisfied God's righteous judgement for sin. So I never let my sin become a barrier between myself and God because I know that would be unbelief in His finished work.

alvin:)

Sanctification said...

Awesome Alvin! "So I never let my sin become a barrier between myself and God because I know that would be unbelief in His finished work."

Confession is necessary to abide; yes.

I think those who walk in the Spirit are righteous, even if there's room to continually be made more righteous through time. Do you agree?

"Neener neener boo boo:"

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Rom 8:1

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Rom 8:4

...Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:14-15

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Col. 2:16-17

(and these festivals and so forth are examples of legalism - James puts clearly the importance of refraining from judgment amongst fellow believers:)

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12

And to walk with Christ is the end of the requirement... correct?

...nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk... 1 Tim 1:4-6

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Rom 13:8-10

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal 5:14

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Gal 5:18

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Rom 10:4

(Is this a sanctification verse?)

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jer. 31:33-34


Crack away at my proof-texting, whatever I say or think that is incorrect, and know that I appreciate it.

Michele

Anonymous said...

Hello Michele, I hope all is fine there

Regards

Marco

Sanctification said...

Thanks Marco, I haven't heard from you in a while, hope you are well too! :D

Michele

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