"Righteousness By Faith"

During the last few weeks our messages have concentrated on the blessing of living under "The New Blood Covenant" established through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is the most important blessing received by accepting Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior or Messiah. Last week's message emphasized that both Jew and Gentile are equal in their eligibility for salvation. In fact, Romans 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." We also learned that only a small percentage of Jews have received Jesus as their Messiah. Why?

At the end of Romans 9 there are three verses entitled "Israel's Unbelief" which says, "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." Romans 9:30-32.

This message might be challenging so we will examine it carefully. Gentiles have received righteousness and salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. However, this is not true for the majority of Jewish people who are still living under the Mosaic Covenant or living by the Law. Verse 33 of Romans 9 clarifies this because it says Jesus is, "A stone that causes them to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." In reality, they cannot comprehend or are not willing to accept that Jesus Christ is their Messiah.

The Apostle Paul, a Jewish persecutor of Christians, suddenly recognized Jesus as his Messiah during his supernatural experience on the Road to Damascus, Acts 9:1-17. Paul in Romans 10:1 says, "My heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is to be saved." Then in verses two and three he further clarifies the Israelites current situation.

In next week's message we will further clarify why the Jews cannot recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah but most importantly will illustrate this is not the end of the story. Stay tuned.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank