30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
10 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek. In Christ Jesus they are all made one. It does not matter nationality or descent if anyone calls upon the name of the Lord they will be saved. This means that you should not be put to shame.
St Paul tells us that the stumbling block is not the Law, but Jesus. Jesus is the stumbling stone for people to trip over. The Law is the actual stumbling stone. It is the Law that trips us up in Life. God has placed his Law before people. The Law trips people up because it gives some people a false sense of security. People believe they can save themselves by performing works of the Law.
But who can make themselves righteous by means of the Law. There is no one who can be righteous on behalf of the Law. It is Christ who makes us Righteous. It is not by our own doing but Christ who Saves us. This becomes a source of stumbling, for people who are trying to justify themselves.
Jesus Christ has redeemed people from the Law. He has saved people from their sins. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. All people who confess Jesus Christ as Lord will be saved. It is this confession and faith which has saved you, not the works of the Law. Does this sound like a stumbling stone for you?
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