Tripping Over Grace
Apr/091
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 9:30-33, NIV)
The Gentiles, who were not the people of God, were saved by faith.
The Israelites, who tried to attain salvation by legalistically following the Old Testament law, were not saved because they tried to do it on their own power.
In verse 33, Paul makes a reference to Jesus, calling Him “a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”
Why do people stumble over Jesus? Because they stumble over grace.
People stumble over grace because it can’t be that easy. Surely I have to do something. Surely I have to earn my salvation somehow.
When we buy into this belief system, we cheapen grace by believing that it isn’t enough to save us. This diminishes the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. So we really do “stumble” and “fall” over Him because we don’t believe the cross is enough to save us.
Our salvation equation is: the cross + good works = salvation
God’s salvation equation is: the cross = salvation
This is reminiscent of Galatians 2:21 – “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (NIV)
I never want to set aside God’s grace by believing that I can work my way into heaven. The only hope I have is Jesus’ death and resurrection. And if I trust in Him, Paul says in verse 33 that I “will never be put to shame.”
Are you spending way too much time and energy trying to make God love you? Trying to earn your way into heaven?
If it feels like you aren't going anywhere…you're not. In your effort to be saved, you've tripped and fallen headfirst over grace.
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6:18 am on April 16th, 2009
This can't be said enough. This is what is so difficult for people to accept. That it is so easy. That GOD gives us grace. Thank GOD he does or none of us would make it.