What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 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."
-- Romans 9:30-33, ESV
If you are a Christian, it is because God chose you, and it has made all the difference in the world, and in the world to come. But the sovereignty of God does not negate the responsibility of man. We make free and willing choices all the time, and the ones we make about God and salvation will matter for all time.
Christians choose faith. Paul uses "Gentiles" to speak of Christians, perhaps because at this point in history new members of Christ's church were coming largely from non-Jewish populations. He returns to using "Israel" as he did at the beginning of the chapter, to represent all unsaved, lost people. Obviously there is a decided difference between Christians and non-Christians.
The difference revolves around "righteousness," a key word in Romans. Righteousness is synonymous with salvation. Righteousness is a right relationship with God, wherein sins are forgiven, His Spirit lives within, and life is abundant and eternal. Righteousness is what we need, but people choose different paths to "pursue" or "attain" it.
Christians make the right choice concerning righteousness. Christians choose "faith" as the means of grace whereby we are right with God. This means we choose to accept a gift. We choose to trust and obey God. In doing so we choose our religion.
Christianity is much more than a religion, but it is not less. Christianity is doctrine and duty, blessings and responsibilities, a tangible new life resulting in a new way of living, according to the Christian "faith." Christians who choose the Christian faith choose to worship, publicly and privately. They choose to learn and obey the Bible. They choose to share the faith, hope, and love they have received from God with others.
Christians are right with God because God has chosen them, and they have chosen God, by faith. Non-Christians have refused God's gift, dishonored and disobeyed God, and practice nominal or hypocritical forms of Christianity, other religions, or no religion at all other than the cult of self.
Christians choose Jesus, while non-Christians "stumble" over Him. Stumbling is not an accident. It is the result of a choice, a choice not to look where you are going. It is choosing not to contemplate the complexities of sin and simplicity of the Gospel.
Non-Christians stumble, or look away, from Jesus because of Christ's humility. Jesus is just not flashy or famous enough for most lost people. This explains why the pseudo-churches driven by the prosperity gospel or the marketing/entertainment paradigm actually do so well, because it is worldly wealth and excitement lost people really want.
Non-Christians stumble, or look away, from Jesus because of Christ's sacrifice. Paul often promotes the cross as a "rock of offense." If a sinless savior died to save sinners, then the first choice a sinner must make to be saved is admit they have sinned against God and man. Most people, lost people, are simply unwilling to make that choice.
Non-Christians stumble, or look away, from Jesus because of Christ's commands. They work and play and sleep on Sundays, looking away from Christ's church, God's word, a celebration of the Gospel in word and sacrament. They are stumbling toward a hellacious fall.
Your life is the sum of the choices you make. Choose wisely. For the choice you make regarding Jesus Christ will make all the difference in the world, and in the world to come.
Chuck DeVane is the pastor of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church. Call him at 501-525-8339 or email [email protected].