30) What shall we say then? That the Gentiles,
which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even
the righteousness which is of faith.
31) But
32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by
faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a
stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be
ashamed.
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his
is something that we must begin to take into consideration, however, we are
hampered in that man has a habit of viewing things his “own way”—which gives us
a false sense of being relieved from “wrong” and “right.”
Especially
in these “last days,” we are charged to recognize the plan of God and the fact
that neither He, nor it, will change. The requirements we would make of
ourselves (our “plan” are invariably not the same as the Lord’s. You see, we
often change our commitment to what we are willing to do depending upon whether
it is “convenient.” But, you see, God’s plan binds Him to carrying it out—and
this makes His commitment invariable.
What
is so dangerous about the devil is that he entices us to deceive ourselves into
believing that we really can work out our own plan. As ridiculous as it may
sound, rather than trust God, we set our sights on what we are willing to
“settle for” and then believe we will change it into what we want.
Because
it seems as if many are “getting away” with doing things their own way, the
devil has been able to convince many that a name or office can be substituted
for obedience. We spend entirely too much time trying to change God and His
word. This is the antithesis of the plan of God. You see,
everything He does, all He allow and anything He requires, is to get us to
follow His direction. The very being of Jesus was focused upon doing His
Father’s bidding.
Now,
once we acknowledge that God has a “plan,” for Man which leads to salvation, of
necessity, we must recognize, then, that there can be
no salvation outside of God’s plan. Outside of God’s plan, then, there can also
be no way to secure the blessings of salvation.
A
“popular” salvation, today, is for one to live according to the establishment
of his own law (that is, what he believes is right what he believes is
necessary, what he feels is convenient.) Despite the fact that for centuries
this has not worked, man continues trying to make his own way work. Under no
circumstances can God ever allow any man to do things his own way, for if he
ever allowed anyone success by doing things his own way, man would never be
brought to the point of knowing that “only God’s way works.”
It
is neither our right not responsibility to “pick and choose” what law we will
follow. The only course has been “mapped out” for us by the Lord, who shows us
that His law brings life and the law of the flesh, utter destruction.
Separation
is made between members of the human race not on the basis of skin color,
economic status, educational achievement, family breeding, or anything else.
Separation, one from another, comes as a result of an individual’s willingness
to obey God. We are first separated by our decision to get saved, then by our rejection
or acceptance of His requirements. So, you see, it is possible for us to be
distinct from one another even within the ranks of salvation. Those of us who
will accept what the Lord says are “concluded” (that is, brought together) on
the basis of faith once we accept what He says. This unites us on this earth
and will form an eternal bond in heaven. Not only are we bound one to another,
but we enjoy a sweet communion with our Lord and Savior.
Do
we really need any more incentive to do as God says? Of course, loving Him is a
prerequisite, for we seek to please only those we truly love. The “perfect
love” spoken of in the scriptures is the only thing that will supersede all
fear of misuse, abuse, self-protectiveness, and allow us to trust unconditionally.
We will not need to understand a command or requirement it will be enough that
God said it.
Often,
we attempt to work things “backward.” We want God to do the things He has
promised first and allow us to believe Him, later. We feel that this will help us
to believe and accept what He said. But, you see, in order to receive many of
the “perks” of salvation, we must accept and believe first—then, we are
rewarded.
Despite
the perverse pleasure we sometimes seem to get from trying to work so hard for
what is freely given (salvation), God would not be God if He allowed, us to
persist in this illusion. He will never change the fact that salvation is based
not on what we can do, but rather, what we are willing to accept.
How
“bad” must things get (for ourselves, the world, our brothers and sisters
and how “far” must the Lord allow things to go before we are willing to accept
that “only God’s way works?” We have no choice (and indeed, should desire
no choice) than to do whatever God says. The unsaved world is getting no better, the lives of disobedient saints are getting no better,
so we should need no more persuasion than for doing thins “my way” is not
the route to go. On the contrary, though the examples are fewer, time and
again, we are shown that those who do things as God says are blessed! So too,
will we be. So “be blessed” and do things God’s way.
It’s the only way that works.