JEWISH LAW or JESUS AS LORD?

RIGHTEOUSNESS: by Law or Faith?

 

Romans 10:1-13.

 

Overview so far …

 

INTRODUCTION.

 

 

If anyone could claim to be good in respect of the God’s Law {that is the Jewish Laws including the 10 commandments} it was the Jews esp. those of the religious variety. Of course you must remember that the apostle Paul was such a one – he had studied in Jerusalem under the top Jewish teachers of the day!

His zeal for the Jewish faith was unsurpassed – as seen in his persecution of the early Christians.

 

The issue is – “How do we gain credibility/acceptance with God?” — Amongst the young people of today [possible us older ones as well] they talk about “street-cred” – if you like what we are talking about here is ‘divine cred’.

Paul has argued through this letter that we gain acceptance with God through Christ alone.

 

His objectors say “Paul you are throwing out the OT Law – the instructions God gave to Moses – and you are forsaking the Jews!”

 

1. PAUL REAFFIRMS HIS LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE. [v.1]

 

 

At the beginning of chapter 9 Paul declares his willingness to forfeit his own soul if it would secure the salvation of the Jews – here he reaffirms his love and expresses his deep desire to see the Jews saved.

 

The fact the majority of Jews have rejected Jesus is firstly, to do with God’s election purposes – {chapter 9} God is sovereign and he chooses who will be his.

BUT that is only half the story – so secondly, is going on now to show that Israel have rejected the Messiah [Jesus Christ] because they are willful, disobedient and stubborn.

 

Nevertheless Paul is heart broken that they are left out and longs that it were not so.

 

2. RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE LAW AND CHRIST. [v.2-4]

 

Paul in this section is dealing with Israel’s misunderstanding of God’s requirements for righteousness.

 

2.1. Zeal is not enough!

 

Paul knows how zealous and sincere these Jews were – he had himself been like that! If it was sincerity that is required then they are first in the queue!

 

But their zeal was without knowledge – their enthusiasm without understanding!

Sincerity alone is always insufficient – because we can be sincerely mistaken. These zealous Jews could not see the wood for the trees! They were so obsessed with the minutiae of the Law that they could not see its overarching purpose!

{ insight – knowledge with understanding – they knew the Law but did not understand it}

They were so concerned with their traditions, with their rituals and practices, which they zealously defended and propagated, and missed the most important thing – a true relationship with God!

 

This has always been, and still remains a problem with all religions, and Christianity is not excluded so we would be wise to take heed!

 

2.2. Self acclaimed righteousness is not enough. [v.3]

 

 

What is righteousness?

a)  God’s righteousness is seen as his holy character a quality that God’s possesses – his purity/holiness.

b)  but more that, it is a quality that moves God to reach out in mercy and salvation to his creation – that is to reassert his ‘right’ over the world.

c)   His righteousness, far from condemning sinners as we might expect reaches out in salvation – it offers forgiveness for our sins and cleansing from unrighteouness [1 John 1v9]

 

The purpose of the law [in particular the 10 commandments and in general the OT] – was to reveal God’s righteousness [and human unrighteousness].

The Jews were zealous for the Law but their understanding of its purpose was deficient – as a result they sought  righteousness in the wrong place.    ….  sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. (NIV)

 

How [did the Jews then and many people today] seek their own righteousness – to gain favour/acceptance with God.

Any people who are conscious that God is righteous and humans are unrighteous, naturally look for ways to be fit to stand in God’s presence

 

There are two ways:-

• by good works and religious practices and rituals to try and gain enough ‘Brownie points’ with God. This is trying to establish our own righteousness — but this is doomed to failure —

• by submitting to God righteousness – receiving it as a free gift through faith in Christ

 

In the next section Paul will appeal to the OT to show that this was not his idea but has been the way to righteousness all along!

 

The Law, given by God to the Israelites, through Moses – 10 commandments and all the other civil and ceremonial laws – were given after the exodus from Egypt – in other words God rescued them before they had the law – He never rescued them because the kept the Law. They thought if they observed the Sabbaths, Festivals and food laws that would qualify them to be God’s chosen people.

Like some people today who think they are Christians because they have been ‘christened’ and married in Church – and born in a Christianised country –

 

The Law was given to show them ‘How to Live’ in response to God’s goodness to them – having the Law didn’t make them righteous!

 

2.3.  Old Testament Law is not an end in itself.

 

So Paul is advocating that there is no contradiction between the Law and Christ – he is not driving a wedge between the two – on the contrary they go together – and any devoted Jews in the OT would have seen in Christ the fulfilment of the Law – The ‘End’ – the terminus.

Jesus is not just the bonus on top of the Law – The whole OT is bound up in Jesus.

 

The Law had its place in pointing us to God BUT now that Christ has come the Law is redundant – The Law was like a sign board pointing to Christ – Why does anyone want the sign board when you have the One to whom the sign points.

 

 

3. THE WAYS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS [v.5-13]

 

Paul has just contrasted a number of things:-

• faith and works
• God’s righteousness and human righteousness
• The Law and Christ

 

He now contrasts and looks at the implications of the Righteousness that is by Law and the righteousness that is by faith.

 

3.1. Righteousness by the Law.

[FOR]  – Paul goes on to substantiate what he said in v.4.

 

To silence his opponents Paul goes to the Jewish sources that they hold so dear.

Moses –

The natural interpretation is to say that the way to salvation is by the obeying the Law. The problem of course is that, although salvation by Law is theoretically possible, total obedience to God’s Law is impossible.

 

Paul has already touched on this in chapter 8.

The weakness of the Law in not that the Law itself is weak BUT they because of Human nature people are incapable of obeying the Law.

 

Because of our weakness – our bent towards sin – we are unable to keep God’s Law and consequently the Law rather than bringing salvation – condemns us as Law breakers.

 

Does this show that Paul is then at odds with the OT – Moses – is he accusing Moses of being wrong?  NO!

 

3.2. Righteousness by Faith.

 

 

These verses come from Deut. 30 — part of the Law also written by Moses.

These are calling the Jews, not to a legalistic law-keeping, but to a faith-righteousness, to a transformation of heart.

 

Righteousness by Law is unattainable – BUT righteousness by faith in Christ is NOT unattainable, on the contrary it is readily accessible.

 

This blessing that is sought is not difficult to attain – you don’t have to scale the heights or plumb the depths or travel across the seas – NO! – what is need is a reorientation of the heart and that comes by faith.

 

In the light of Christ’s coming Paul is saying to His Jewish-Christian readers “Listen, there is no need to try and reach heaven  – Jesus has already come from there — there is not need to plumb the depths to overcome death — Christ has already done that in his resurrection. What you are seeking can be, and is, yours by faith.”

That is, its in your hearts and in your mouth.

 

What is the word of faith – the message requiring a response of faith i.e. the gospel.

 

This is the message of the gospel – we can gain credibility/ acceptance with God by responding by faith to his offer of salvation.       HOW?? – by inward belief and outward confession – heart and mouth!

 

Inward belief and outward confession – heart and mouth!

Salvation  – right standing with God – is not unavailable, unrevealed, unknowable – God is not trying to make it difficult for us to know him – just the opposite – everything that is necessary has already been done – we don’t have to do anything. Salvation is easily accessible to all who will believe.

 

All that is required of us is to believe in our hearts that it is true – and to confess with our mouths that ‘Jesus is Lord’

‘Jesus is Lord’ – was the earliest confession of the Church – at a time when the emperor was considered Lord.

It was not just a private belief – there was expected to be public confession – Jesus expected his followers to pin their colours to the mast – He said ‘If you are not for me then you are against me!’

Are you and I prepared to stand up for Christ – not in a brash arrogant way – I believe that more and more as Christians we are going to have to stand up and be counted for Christ – it is not going to be easy – it never has been and Jesus never said that it would be.

 

 

By saying ‘Jesus is Lord’ we are saying that he is the only way to God – that his teachings are right and those that contradict biblical teaching is wrong.

Do you ..

 

 

Salvation is easily accessible.

 

If it is true that salvation is easily accessible it is also true that it is equally accessible.

 

Salvation is equally accessible.

 

 

Remember that Paul is dealing in these chapters with the question of the relationship of Jews and Gentiles – Here he repeats that God doesn’t make a distinction between Jews and gentiles regarding salvation – it is equally available to all.  Christ is Lord of All and he blesses All who call on him.

God makes no distinction on the ground of nationality, language, race, sex or social standing – ALL are equal in his eyes!

 

See how Paul here balances what he said in Chapter 9 – God is sovereign – he chooses who will be his – he elects.

Well here the invitation is open to all –

Anyone/everyone who trust in Christ will be saved!!

ILLUS.: Introduce two people – Erica and Megan – Erica is a good person – she is involved in the community – good citizen – went to Sunday School – now goes to church not every week but fairly regularly – not fanatically religious but would call herself a Christian and would be highly indignant if anyone suggested that she was not a Christian.

Megan – is a different story – never been to Church – heavily into the Hippie movement of the 1960’s – free love, sex and stuff – been through various relationships – now has a reasonable job – not to fussed about community involvement – has a reasonably stable relationship with her boyfriend – she has a child for the 1960’s (father unknown) now she and her partner have a child together – into New Age beliefs.

Megan and partner – through a neighbour and an Alpha course – become Christians.

Romans 9:20-21 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? – [Job]    ——-    “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? [Isaiah]

Isaiah 29:16

16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!

Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”?

Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”? (NIV)

Job 42:5-6

5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (NIV)

ILLUS.: As I look back to the time when I became a Christian I remember that I wanted to follow Christ – now in hindsight I realise that all the credit goes to him for reaching out to me in mercy and love – at the time I was unaware of his hand upon me – they were conscious steps of my own will.

ILLUS. These two thoughts are like the two track of a train line – they are both necessary!!

Romans 9:25-26 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;

and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”

26 and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them,

‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God’.” (NIV)

Romans 9:27-28   27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, [only] the remnant will be saved.  28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” (NIV)

Romans 9:30-33  30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling-stone”. 33 As it is written:

“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall,

and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:23 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block [scandal] to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (NIV)

WE MUST LET GOD BE GOD!

 

Romans 9:1 – 33.

 

INTRODUCTION.

 

A common argument that people use for not believing in God [or often Jesus in particular] is that “If God does this or doesn’t do that then how can he be God” or  “I can’t believe in a God who does such-and-such!”

Of course the problem with such a view is that when we do that we are guilty of idolatry – in other words creating in our own thinking the kind of God we will worship. But we don’t have the right to dictate to God what he should be like and how he should act. This is Paul’s point about the potter and the clay.

 

Romans 9:21 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? (NIV)

 

This issue of God choosing some and not others has and still does cause people great difficulty. Our problem, of course, is that we are the creatures trying to understand the creator – that which is finite and small trying to understand that which it infinite and very great.

 

These are issues that arise in this passage – along with the issue that Paul is dealing with, viz. the place of the Jews and the Gentiles in the plan of God.

 

One of the difficulties with understanding a passage like Rom.9 is that it is very intricately argued – if we look at the detail in great depth we can loose the overall thrust  BUT if we look at the gist of the argument only we can misunderstand the reasoning behind it.

 

In 9 – 11 Paul is dealing with the issue of God’s plans for Israel – Why have the Jews for the most part reject their Messiah, Jesus? Are they not God’s chosen people? How is it that the Gentiles have believed in Jesus and not the majority of the Israelites? This was an issue of great concern in the early Church and indeed it is a concern today. What about Israel as a nation?

 

This was a great concern to the Apostle Paul – indeed this is probably one of the reasons, if not the main reason, why he wrote this letter to the Romans in the first place.

 

Up to this point in the letter Paul has been explaining that we come into a right relationship with God, NOT by good works, or by obeying the Jewish law BUT by faith in what Christ has done.

 

1:18 – 3:20 – God’s anger against sin – Jew and Gentile – God has no favourites

3:21 – 8:39 – God’s grace to all who believe – justification (Salvation) is by faith

 

What of the Jews – the majority of whom have rejected the Messiah?

This is the subject of  9-11.

In Chapter 9 Paul will argue that God is sovereign but that Israel were by no means innocent but stubborn and unbelieving (Chapter 10) However God has not rejected Israel because unlike them, He is faithful (ch.11) and in the end he will have mercy on them ALL  [not universalism with everyone being saved] – but all meaning both Jews and Gentiles

“God will have mercy on them all (11:32), meaning not everyone without exception, but both Jews and Gentiles without distinction.” [Stott]

 

Overview of Chapter 9.

1 – 5            Paul’s anguish over Israel and his love for her

6 – 13          Has God abandoned Israel?

14 – 18        Isn’t God unfair in his distribution of mercy? Who can resist..

15 – 29        How can God blame us when he is in control?

30 – 33        Where does all this lead to? The Church comprises Jews and                              Gentiles – Gentiles in the majority, are there because of God’s                            mercy and the Jews are few because of their rebellion.

Christ – the foundation stone  and the stumbling stone.

 

1. PAUL’S LOVE FOR HIS OWN PEOPLE. [v.1 – 5]

 

Paul’s heart is breaking because of the Jews rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. He is even prepared, if it were at all possible, [which it is not 8:28ff]  to forfeit his own salvation for the sake of he fellow countrymen.

There is much support of the State of  Israel today by Christians BUT if it is not driven by a passion, like Paul’s, to see Jews come to know and love Christ then it is not biblical but misguided nationalism.

 

In a broader context, if every British Christian displayed the same passion for their fellow countrymen as Paul did for his imagine the impact for the gospel!

 

What deepens Paul’s distress is the fact that Israel were the beneficiaries of God’s blessings in the OT – Adoption as God’s people, The glory of God was in their midst, the covenants God made with them, the law was given to them, Israel was the centre of God’s Temple worship, through them God promised and fulfilled his purposes, the patriarchs [the men of faith – e.g. Abraham is the father of all who are justified by faith] came from Israel –   BUT the most painful thing of all for Paul is the fact that all this in the OT points to Jesus – his human ancestry is rooted in everything Jewish.

 

Paul’s anguish is that everything in the OT points to the Coming Messiah and yet when he comes the Jews reject the VERY ONE they have been waiting for.

 

2. HAS GOD ABANDONED ISRAEL? [V. 6 – 13]

          [NO! he has kept his promises to Abraham and his seed – offspring]

 

At first sight it may appear that God’s promises have failed –

v.6 should begin with ‘BUT’ – No says Paul Israel’s failure to believe is not attributable to God’s failure but to Israel’s unbelief.

 

Not all those who were Jews physically were also Jews spiritually. There have always been two Israels – the physical ones and the spiritual ones.

God’s promises are addressed to the ones who had received his promises.

I 2:28 Paul has already made the distinction between those who were Jews outwardly, circumcision in the body, and those who are Jews inwardly, circumcision of the heart! A Jewish birth-certificate was insufficient, the individual had to, like Abraham, believe God to be reckoned righteous.

 

So tragic as it may be that may Jews have failed to recognise Jesus as the Messiah, that does not mean that God’s word has failed.

There has always been this distinction between the physical and spiritual –

Paul now turns to Abraham’s Children to show this.

Abraham – had two sons – Ishmael born to Hagar, who was born by normal conception and Isaac the son of Sarah who was conceived by God’s supernatural intervention in fulfilment of God’s earlier promise.

Using this as an illustration Paul said “It is not the natural Children i.e. children of the flesh but the children of promise who are born as a result of God’s promise.”

 

God is still distinguishing between the purely physical descendants and the spiritual.

 

Ishmael was born to Hagar – a slave girl and Isaac to Sarah his wife it is therefore natural for God’s promises to be fulfilled through Isaac.

SO Paul adds another point to show God’s sovereignty.

Rebekah – Isaac’s wife had twins [Esau and Jacob] – here there is no distinction – same mother and father, same birthday – yet God chooses the one born second even before they are born. [Yet we must not forget that Esau forfeited his birthright because of his own sinfulness and lost his rightful blessing because of Jacob’s deceit – human responsibility is interwoven with God’s sovereignty!]

 

This verse is a problem to many – it is not easy.

In what sense ‘hate’ – a quote for Malachi – Jesus use of this word in ref. to his disciples ‘hating’ family in order to follow him [ is another gospel ‘love less’] may shed light.

Israel descended from Jacob and the Edomites from Esau – representative of the nations that came form them. Does Paul therefore mean that Esau and the Edomites [who are Gentiles] will remain forever outside the possibility of God’s salvation. This cannot be so as it would destroy Paul’s entire mission to the Gentiles –

So says Paul God chooses so that his purposes in election do not fail but are fulfilled only in the Israel within Israel.

 

This issue of God’s electing is difficult and in many ways a mystery – but unavoidable if we are to be true to scripture. It was taught by Jesus himself

 

Also election is foundational to Christian Worship.

If we are responsible for our own salvation, even in a small part, we would be able to blow our own trumpets. BUT that is not possible because ‘salvation belongs to God.”

Some of you are thinking – if God elects in this way then he is unfair!!

Paul preempt your objection.

 

2. ISN’T GOD BEING UNFAIR? [V.14-18]

[NO! he shows mercy to the undeserving & delays his judgement on the hard-hearted]

 

Granted – God’s purpose in election has been fulfilled –  he has chosen this line – but isn’t that unjust?

 

To defend God [as if he needs defending] Paul highlights his mercy – [quotes from Ex.33] occasion of the golden calf – Israel has just committed the grossest idolatry and yet God has mercy and doesn’t destroy them all! They deserved destruction – that would have been just – Do you want God to act like that . Mercy is ‘unjust’ but who in their right mind would complain about injustice like that.

 

Having talked about Moses and the Israelites Paul now moves on to talk of Pharaoh, King of Egypt {the Exodus – explain!!}

The accusation against God is that he hardened Pharaoh’s heart –

We need to remember that Pharaoh had subjugated God’s people to slavery and for that deserved God’s judgement BUT God delayed that judgement in order to display his power and make his name great [v.17].

 

Early to the Romans Paul says

All human beings are sinful, all deserve God’s judgement and none deserve to be saved!

Here Paul applies to the whole world the principle he applies in ch.9 to pharaoh. He treats us with patience in the face of our hardness [stubbornness] while appealing for repentance and delaying the coming day of Judgment.

Far from being unjust this is a sign of God’s mercy!

 

If today you are not a Christian – be warned – God’s delay doesn’t mean his judgement will not come!!

 

You see! not only is mercy always undeserved — BUT judgement is only executed long after it is deserved and then only as part of God’s overall plan of salvation. Pharaoh was part of God’s plan to save Israel and to demonstrate by this his salvation to the whole world!

 

BUT PAUL – surely the basic reason we are still sinners is because God has decided not to show us mercy!!

 

This is precisely the question Paul tackles in v,19.

 

3. HOW CAN GOD BLAME US WHEN HE IS IN CONTROL? [V.19-29]

 

In other words – God holds all the cards so how can it be our fault?

 

Paul quotes Isaiah – who is accusing Israel of trying to assert their autonomy over God

 

-they thought they could fashion a God to suit themselves –

No says Paul you can’t say that God isn’t the Potter – he determines what kind of pots he will make. To want anything else is to want God not to be God.

 

Paul is also quoting from the Book of Job  But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? – [Job]  — Job was overwhelmed with the sheer greatness of God and what can a mere mortal do when God by definition has all the answers and controls everything??

 

Paul’s objectors have the same problem  Romans 9:19 ……For who resists his will?” (NIV)

As far as Job was concerned God hadn’t governed very wisely – maybe you feel the same!!

 

 

But the end of the Book of Job God parades before him the power and wisdom and majesty with which he made and now governs the world. And Job is silenced not because he is crushed by God’s greatness as he feared BUT he realises that if we submit to this God, a God who manages creation with such wisdom, THEN our rights are absolutely safe with Him!! God will not violate our rights!!

 

So says Job —

He regrets talking back to God Because it came from ignorance of the true dimensions of God’s greatness.

 

Paul goes on in the next verses to show how God in delaying his judgement on the one hand and revealing his mercy on the other is demonstrating his great plan of Salvation.

 

He quotes from Hosea a prophecy about restoration and Love.

He quotes from Isaiah – a prophecy about judgement and hope.

 

Yes! the majority of the Israelites have rejected the Messiah BUT the Remnant will be saved [v.27 remove ‘only’]

 

If the Lord had been rigidly just he would have destroyed Israel like he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah BUT the fact that Israel survived and a remnant believed show the immense kindness and mercy of God.

 

4. WHERE DOES ALL THIS LEAD TO? [v.30-33]

 

 

Right from the beginning no-one was ever saved by keeping the law [given to Moses – the moral law] – in fact Abraham was saved by faith long before the Law was given – the Law was given to those who were already God’s covenant people

 

The same is true in the NT – first salvation by faith – then good works in response!

 

Israel missed the boat because they thought they could gain acceptance with God by keeping the law! NO!

The law pointed to Christ – the foundation stone of God’s salvation – Christ is the end of the law – its terminus.

 

So the law is to take us to Christ – it is not an end in itself. Christ is the destination towards which the Law has always been leading/pointing!

 

The Jews, instead of accepting Christ- fell at that point > We can sympathize with the Jewish Christians who felt that if Jesus were the Messiah of Israel then logically Gentiles should join Israel if the wanted Him. BUT Paul rejects this — and asserts that the only way to fulfill the law is to believe in Jesus, for both Jews and Gentiles.

 

And so it has been all through History – For Anyone with a closed/religious mindset Jesus is the stumbling block! No religious practices or system of beliefs is of any value unless there is first faith is Christ.

 

We can argue about and discuss the matter of God’s election until the cows come home – and we will never fully understand it – BUT unless and until we accept God’s offer of mercy in the person of Jesus Christ we will remain the objects of God’s anger – whether Jews or Gentiles – if you are not a Christian you need to realise that you can’t merit God’s mercy – you can only accept it – And God is extending his mercy to you>

 

For the Christian who struggles with the issue of election – and that’s all of us – don’t give up trying to understand the biblical teaching but realise, like Job the greatness and majesty and power and wisdom of God, and that your life and  destiny are safe in his hands.

 

ILLUS.: TV – murder mystery – eventual question -’Did he have any enemies!”

ILLUS. M*A*S*H – TV – field hospital set in Korean WAR – A pleasant, tender young Airforce Officier is moved by the children he saw with missing arms and legs – when he inquired how this occured and was told caused by Americam bombs dropped near a village. He breaks down and sobs because he had never seen close-up the effects of his actions.

Romans 5:1-2; 6-11

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ……..

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (NIV)

ILLUS. Rev martin Niemoller – arrested and held by the Nazis for the duration of World War II ….

ILLUS.: FORGIVEN – what a doctor wrote in his accounts – see Vitamins for the soul p.65.