Reading your Bible for November 10

November 10: Romans 9:30-33

KJV Key Verse: Romans 9:31
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Devotion:
Herein we have the difference between justification by the law and by faith. The Jews worked hard at being justified by the law; they tried hard to follow the law and to continue in that law. What they found was they could not keep the law and on too many occasions went against God because they wanted to keep the law as they saw it rather than what God had demanded. When the apostles went preaching the gospel to others (such as the Romans) they were able to gain righteousness by faith; by believing on Christ and following the gospel. They were not just doing what God had asked of them, but were sharing that action with others.

The Jews knew the scriptures and they tried to justify themselves because God had told them they were the chosen people. Instead of continuing to bow to God and His Word, they upheld the old traditions and the old law through works and not through faith. Back in years past they had to show faith by believing God would save them from others in wars and such like. When they upheld their faith, they won through. But now they were basing their religion on the law and not what was happening in front of them. They were not coming humbly before God but were lifting up the law itself as the be all and end all, basing things on observing precepts and ceremonies of the laws written down by Moses.

That stumbling block will continue to be there and many people, not just Jews, will continue to be offended by our belief that Christ is God and He is our Saviour. The truth is there to be seen in God’s Word and will continue to be faithfully told by many generations to come, right up until the time when Christ Himself will return with a trump and a shout! We need to remain firm in our faith that Christ has redeemed us with His blood and we will be presented guiltless before God because we have trusted Christ to be our Advocate. We will not be ashamed then and so we should not be ashamed now of the gospel of Christ.

Points to Ponder:
What do you base your life on?

Are you trusting firmly in Christ?