Romans 9:30-10:5
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them"
It is pretty cool, if you are receiving an award, let's say at the Grammys or Oscars, to thank "God". It makes you seem humble and since 95% of the world believes in some form of God, you relate to almost everyone. Some undiscerning people would even make you a role model as a "Christian" celebrity. The problem and the dividing line occurs when you start thanking "Jesus". That is the name that brings offense. That is the name that people stumble over. Why is that?
Number 1 is because it is A stone In Zion. That means that there aren't many ways to be saved, only one. That means there aren't many places or periods of time that bring salvation. Jesus appeared in Zion, in history, and all mankind must go to a Jew who was born in Israel 0AD for salvation. Seems awfully narrow doesn't it? http://thoughtsfromtherightbrain.blogspot.com/2013/06/jesus-is-remedy.html
Number 2 is that salvation is in a person not a doctrine, manual, book, or a list of things to do. This is what separates Christianity from all other religions. We don't work our way to God. Jesus didn't come to show us the way, He is the way. Therefore, when we thank Jesus instead of "God", or end our public prayers "in Jesus name" rather than "in Your name" we are saying, "I believe there is only one way to God and that is by saying I'm not good enough and I by faith exchange His righteousness for mine." http://thoughtsfromtherightbrain.blogspot.com/2015/10/five-minute-devotionals-to-give-candles.html But there is one more offensive statement that people are saying when they take the name of Jesus...
Number 3, Jesus taught more on Hell than he did on Heaven. He said things something like, "I didn't come to condemn people, they are already condemned. I came to rescue people and save them from where they are already headed which is hell" (I always cringe at giving Jesus words He didn't exactly say but if you read the gospels I believe this is a fair summary) Therefore the offense of Jesus is not just that He is the only way and that you must humble yourself before Him, but lastly if you don't you will spend an eternity in Hell. Ouch! Very unpopular. Very polarizing. Very politically incorrect. Yet true.
Jesus is the stumbling block. You either have to fall on Him or eventually He will fall on you. (Matt. 21:44) Which is it. There is no neutrality.
Lord, thank you that You revealed this to me as truth many years ago. I admit, it is a hard and humbling truth to swallow but thank you that You have enabled me to humble myself before you and receive this free gift of Your righteousness, forgiveness of my sins, a relationship with You which began on this Earth and extends throughout eternity. Amen!
It is pretty cool, if you are receiving an award, let's say at the Grammys or Oscars, to thank "God". It makes you seem humble and since 95% of the world believes in some form of God, you relate to almost everyone. Some undiscerning people would even make you a role model as a "Christian" celebrity. The problem and the dividing line occurs when you start thanking "Jesus". That is the name that brings offense. That is the name that people stumble over. Why is that?
Number 1 is because it is A stone In Zion. That means that there aren't many ways to be saved, only one. That means there aren't many places or periods of time that bring salvation. Jesus appeared in Zion, in history, and all mankind must go to a Jew who was born in Israel 0AD for salvation. Seems awfully narrow doesn't it? http://thoughtsfromtherightbrain.blogspot.com/2013/06/jesus-is-remedy.html
Number 2 is that salvation is in a person not a doctrine, manual, book, or a list of things to do. This is what separates Christianity from all other religions. We don't work our way to God. Jesus didn't come to show us the way, He is the way. Therefore, when we thank Jesus instead of "God", or end our public prayers "in Jesus name" rather than "in Your name" we are saying, "I believe there is only one way to God and that is by saying I'm not good enough and I by faith exchange His righteousness for mine." http://thoughtsfromtherightbrain.blogspot.com/2015/10/five-minute-devotionals-to-give-candles.html But there is one more offensive statement that people are saying when they take the name of Jesus...
Number 3, Jesus taught more on Hell than he did on Heaven. He said things something like, "I didn't come to condemn people, they are already condemned. I came to rescue people and save them from where they are already headed which is hell" (I always cringe at giving Jesus words He didn't exactly say but if you read the gospels I believe this is a fair summary) Therefore the offense of Jesus is not just that He is the only way and that you must humble yourself before Him, but lastly if you don't you will spend an eternity in Hell. Ouch! Very unpopular. Very polarizing. Very politically incorrect. Yet true.
Jesus is the stumbling block. You either have to fall on Him or eventually He will fall on you. (Matt. 21:44) Which is it. There is no neutrality.
Lord, thank you that You revealed this to me as truth many years ago. I admit, it is a hard and humbling truth to swallow but thank you that You have enabled me to humble myself before you and receive this free gift of Your righteousness, forgiveness of my sins, a relationship with You which began on this Earth and extends throughout eternity. Amen!
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