Today’s Reading | Romans 9:19-32
By Faith Alone
When the portion of this letter from Saturday was read to the Jews it must have shocked them. In fact, Paul says as much in verses 30 and 31. How could the Jews, who pursue righteousness with a great deal of effort, miss salvation? Even more astonishing, how could the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, obtain salvation? The key to understanding this truth is what the motives were for pursuing righteousness and how it was pursued. The Jews were trying to obtain righteousness through good works. In their pride, they refused to accept the fact that righteousness was out of their reach. Their pride was so great that instead of allowing the Law to demonstrate salvation could not be earned, they continued to try to earn it. The Gentiles came to God by faith knowing they could never earn salvation on their own. Pride did not get in the way of their salvation. The Gentiles in humility, received by faith what the Jews sought after with great effort, but failed to receive. Salvation is available to those who realize they could never earn their way into heaven. Are you one of those people? Pride will prevent many from accepting God’s gift.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?