“What shall we say then? The Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith, but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, did not attain the law of righteousness. Why not? Because they did not seek it by faith, but by the works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone.” Romans 9:30-32
Many people outside Israel, who formerly did not have the Scriptures, heard the Gospel and attained righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Many in Israel, who had the Scriptures, failed to attain righteousness because they sought to be righteous by their works under the law rather than through faith in Christ Jesus, who kept the law for them and then atoned for their sins by His death on the cross.
Grant that I despair of my own righteousness under the law and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His cross that I might be counted righteous and acceptable in Your sight, O God. Amen.
“What if God, willing to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He previously prepared for glory, even us, whom He has called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?” Romans 9:22-24
Some would fault God for their own unbelief, but who are we to fault God when He finally hardens those who continually reject the truth of His Word and the work of His Spirit? And, how thankful we can be when God, by the Holy Spirit’s working through the Word, graciously brings us, undeserving sinners, to repent of our sins and place our faith in the atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, Christ Jesus!
Thank you, merciful Holy Spirit, for patiently enduring my sinfulness and working through Your Word to bring me to repent and place my faith in Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
“To the law and to the testimony; if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20
We judge ministers’ preaching and teaching by the Holy Scriptures. If their words do not fully agree with the Word of God given to us in the Bible, or if they add to or subtract from the teaching of the Bible, we as Christians must reject them as false and erring prophets.
Grant that I hold fast to Your Word, O God, and reject the doctrine of all who do not teach in accord with the Holy Scriptures. In the name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the full daytime. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. “ Proverbs 4:18-19
Those who are counted righteous through faith in Christ Jesus follow Jesus and are conformed more and more to His likeness until they are raised from the dead and transformed into His perfect image (cf. Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). The way of the wicked is darkness; they do not see the way of life and do not know over what they stumble and fall.
Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may see my sins and failings and look to Jesus and His cross for forgiveness and life; and grant that I be conformed into His image, more and more each day until that day when I am changed and perfectly reflect His likeness. Amen.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Some people are smart but not wise. They have the intellect to learn much, but they lack the wisdom to rightly apply what they have learned. True wisdom begins with knowing and honoring the almighty and holy God who has created all things and given us life. It comes from hearing and believing God’s Word, and it moves us to acknowledge our sinfulness and look to Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness. Without such wisdom and knowledge, even the most intelligent are fools.
Grant that I hear and believe Your Word, O Lord, and repent of my sins and look to Christ Jesus for pardon and forgiveness. Give me the wisdom to believe Your Word and honor You with my life. Amen.
