Through Israel’s Fall Salvation Has Come To All Pr Edi Giudetti 01-03-2020 We have all knowns what it is like to miss out on something very important, but we have also known what it is like when an opportunity has opened up that we might be able to take advantage of. It might be a job opportunity that was made available through an individual stepping down, or a position on a team or a play etc, when someone else has, for one reason or another, decided to step aside and left an opportunity for another to step in.  In just such a way does the passage before us speech respecting what has occurred with Israel and his fall respecting his rejection of the long-awaited messiah. Israel made a way for the gentile, “through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles”. (Rom 11:11) Fallen By Works (Ref: Rom 9:31-32) 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.  7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded Israel had rejected his Messiah; he had turned his face from the hope that had long ago been set before him.  We often get confused when we read of all the people that followed Christ, all the people who had desired to crown him King and set him upon the throne of David that we read in the New Testament. How is it that they had rejected him?  How is it that Israel had so quickly despised their own hope? The leaders of the nation rejected their messiah, just as the kings of old rejected the prophets of old. They lead the nation and where they lead the nation follows.  They would not believe the Gospel, but rather trusted that the works of the Law that would save them from their sin. Paul makes it abundantly clear that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. (Rom 3:20). The deeds of the law refers to the works of the Law, but if it is by the works of the law, it cannot then be by grace. 6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace Just to be sure we understand it, turn to  Galatians 5:3 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” It is so vital to understand the truth of this doctrine.  Again, and again the Bible teaches that if you are saved by WORKS your salvation CANNOT be secure, why?  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you Why do you need Jesus if your works can either save you or keep you? Again, let me make sure this is clear, IF you think you can lose your salvation, then there is an element in your mind that thinks you are somehow saved by your works and not of grace. whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” Grace and Works are MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE IDEAS and Paul is doing all he can to be sure this is understood. He testifies the truth of it in no less than three of his letters, Romans, Galatians and the Epistle to the Hebrews (yes I believe Paul wrote the book of Hebrews…but that is neither here nor there). Turn back to our passage in Romans 11 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Grace and works are mutually exclusive. Friends there are those who think they have been saved by Grace, but somehow ALSO believe they are KEPT by their works.  In other words, they believe they can somehow lose the Salvation that

Has God Cast Away His People?  God Forbid! Pr Edi Giudetti 23-02-2020 Well, it’s one of the biggest questions in theology, Has God cast away his people Israel? It’s not questioned because there is any lack of clarity on the answer, the answer is presented with ALL clarity even in the very next two words in the text, “God forbid…”.  It is a big question because the preference of many church denominations is that Israel had been done away with and the blessings conferred upon them by God in the Old Testament should now pass onto the Church, but this is not the biblical case.  Satan, and all others who HATE Gods people Israel, desire them done away with, they hate whom God loves and have denied the very plain statement that “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew” (Rom 11:2). Israel is a thorn in the side of all nations, “a cup of trembling unto all the people” says the scriptures (Zech 12:2). But hating who God loves will have a cost!  This is the last chapter that deals specifically with the nation of Israel and their respective Salvation. Chapter 9 began the topic with Paul having a great burden and sorrow for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh.  Chapter 10 began with his petition to the Lord that they might be saved, remembering that they had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Chapter 11 now begins with the summarising question together with its answer. As with both chapters 9 and 10, though each chapter is dealing with the nation of Israel, we recall that Paul is writing this to the gentile Romans, and naturally, there has been much that we, as gentiles, have been able to glean so far from it. This chapter will be no different. Romans 11:1-5 Evidence God Cannot Cast Away His People 1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  It may be considered acceptable to think that God had cast away his people, particularly for their rejection of their messiah;  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (Jn 1:11) It may be considered a thought-provoking argument and perhaps well grounded.  It may be considered as deserving and well earned, indeed even wages against them who have cast off their own Saviour.  They had lied to one another concerning him, false witnesses were prepared to witness against him; It might be considered just to cast them off when they were even willing to delude their own selves concerning him; Do not the scriptures say “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy”? (Jonah 2:8) In crucifying Christ, Israel indeed forsook their own mercy, so too do ALL PEOPLE that observe lying vanities! They have certainly not all obeyed the Gospel I say then, Hath God cast away his people? It would seem that today is not the first time the question has been asked. Today is not the first time the question itself would be seen as reasonable to ask. It’s an incredibly important question to ask because the question itself does not ONLY related to ‘his people’ Israel. “What are you saying Pastor, clearly the question relates to Israel, the text does specifically say “hath God cast away his people” and it refers to Israel in the passage”… Well done, I am glad you picked that up, it is evident that you are learning to keep things in their immediate context. But there is something else that is needful to know: The Bible is like the most tightly woven tapestry in the world, a single thread undone will pull the entire Bible apart.  If God had promised to preserve his people and had now cast them off for their iniquity, where do his promise to preserve you and I stand? What confidence would you have never to be cast off for your own iniquity? I speak to those of you that are saved, this does not apply to those lost in sin, they stand condemned by the Law are yet to repent and turn to Christ. Beloved the question rega

Found Of Them That Sought Me Not Its almost become an axiom, a fundamental truth that can’t be proved, that if you want to find what you’re looking for, stop looking for it. It does not seem to matter if it’s your keys, your wallet, your phone or even the person with whom you share the rest of your life, you find it when you stop seeking after it. We as Gentiles indeed came to the hope of the Lord without truly looking for him, according to the Bible he was found of them that sought him not. God speaks wonderfully in the passage in the middle of the three verses we will look at, saying in verse 20, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. He is speaking here about you and I. I never sought-after God. I had no Christian upbringing, there was no faith in my home, no conversation of God ever. Mum was a New Ager and Dad was…he was just dad. But the Lord was made manifest to me even though I asked not after him.  It seems to me that the most precious things in my life were found when I had not sought it. In our passage this morning, Paul explains that Israel knew God, the knew the truth of the Gospel, but they did not all obey the Gospel, as a result, the wonderful joy of the hope of heaven went to all the world, the gentile world and extended through the years to you and I.  Each of us has a story, each has a testimony to which God could say I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. This first verse demonstrates Israel being provoked to Jealousy by a people that had no right to call God, their Lord and Saviour, you and I. 1.   Provoked To Jealousy 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.Romans 10:19 Paul reminds the Gentiles (recall that according to the bible there are two main groups of people in the world, the Gentile and the Jew) of Gods love and infinite patience with the people of Israel. But even though he suffers long with them and tolerates their backsliding, it is not without consequence. Paul makes it clear that, though he speaks so forcefully of his People Israel, God has not “cast away his people” as he affirms at the very beginning of the next chapter. The purpose of this entire chapter to the Gentile nation (You and I) is to remind us that “the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” (Rom 10:12). That is, that God fills the heart of ALL who call upon his name. He brings life and joy and hope and the peace that passes ALL understanding. It is a richness that is infinite respecting his love, his patience and his faithfulness to keep his promises to all who call upon his name for all eternity. THAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THIS 10TH CHAPTER OF ROMANS, Verse 12 is its purpose statement. But here Paul reminds the gentiles that God had witnessed the backsliding nature of his people, from the beginning of the creation of the nation just after they came out from Egypt. The passage he refers to that Moses spoke of comes from the book of Deuteronomy, the last of the first five books of Moses. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers….) Deuteronomy 32:20-21 Before us is a small part of a song that Moses wrote and sung for the people. It begins at verse one and continues until verse 43, and in the midst of the song is this revelation to the people that Paul sees as relevant over one thousand years later.  Indeed, speaking to the very nation who would provoke Israel to jealousy. 20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. It is

All Heard The Gospel 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.Romans 10:18 All heard the Gospel in Israel, they heard it over and over during the millennia before Christ came. They heard it again when he walked the shores of Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea. They heard it yet again during the lifetime of the Apostles of the Lord in the first century. and you have heard it if you have listened to this message. All heard the Gospel, the most incredible hope for all the world. All Israel Heard The Gospel All Israel Know The Glory Of God This verse gives to us two passages of scripture to expound, one is the very present passage before us, but the other is one that is drawn directly from the passage the Apostle Paul quotes from in Psalm 19. On the surface there would seem to be no link other than the linking of the verses.  Paul begins the question related specifically to Israel at the very beginning of the chapter which says  “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” They are the people in focus here, chapters 9-11 are related specifically to Israel but they contain truths within them that are so vital for all people. He goes on to the way of salvation, how a person may be saved! (v9) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (v9) He goes on to say that there is no Jew nor Greek, and that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Clearly here Paul draws ALL people into this same salvation, this same hope that Israel have as their inheritance.  But then Paul goes on to question the practical truth of the Gospel, most importantly, how it is that people might come to believe it; How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  These are practical truths and they relate specifically to the practical aspect of the Gospel of Christ. They are reasonable, they are beyond refutation. They are the simple questions asked by the majority of people around the world. Indeed, if such news is true and such news is so good, how shall the person who has never heard of Christ be saved? Paul affirms this to be the case. Jesus himself gives to it the value and purpose of the mission of the Church,  “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mrk 16:15) Jesus also spoke of making disciples to propagate the work; “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mat 28:20) These two verses taken together is what we have come referred to as The Great Commission   “To preach the Gospel and to Make Disciples of Men”. Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:20 is the great commission.  The GREAT COMMISSION answers the rhetorical questions put forward by the Apostle Paul in verses 14 and 15  … how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  And then he gives the wonderful conclusion of the work at the end of verse 15 saying “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Indeed, they are! The Gospel is the most wonderful news to all people in all the world, it discriminates against no one, all people have the opportunity to come to the Saviour, to believe the Gospel, to repent and inherit everlasting life. It is the greatest liberty, the greatest assurance and the greatest hope of all. It frees man from the bondage of sinIt justifies man from the penalty of sinAnd it forgives man for the offence of sin The gospel ensures that NEVER AGAIN does any

When The Word Is Heard THE WORD HEARD HERALDS HOPE  “so then Faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17) “So then”, those first two words in the passage is a phrase that provides the logical conclusion of that which has gone before, it’s a lead to a summary of what was just spoken about. Consider again the context of the few verses prior; 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:12-17) Those two words are a vital aspect of this verse because it commands that we consider the context.  The claim that those two words make is that faith in the word of God relating, in this case, to the Gospel, is sufficient enough to save the soul.  It is the Gospel through the Word of God heard that is the object of faith.  “so then faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. The passage makes the point respecting the effect of the word of God upon all those that hear. The context of this passage relates to the preaching of the Gospel specifically.  There is no doubt that the word of God continues to do its work within our lives after we have responded to the call of the Gospel. 2 Tim 3:16-17 is clear that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” It has the miraculous ability to perfect a man, to make him throughly furnished, that is, to perfectly equip him, unto all good works. But here, in this particular passage, it is that work that is specific to the Gospel itself, expressly that which is heard through preaching.  “so then faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. Take care not to misapply the text, or to apply it only in one manner! We know that the word of God has the continuing ability to transform us even as Christians, we know that faith commeth by hearing, and we will speak to that in the last point, but here the passage relates specifically to the Gospel. Faith Commeth By Hearing We might be able to use it in another application, but we need to take care we don’t take away from its original intended purpose. For example: The same items that are used to make a table can also be used to make a stool, there does not seem to be anything wrong with it. But when we focus the items in making a stool when it was originally designed for a table, we no longer have a table do we?  It’s the same when it comes to focusing a passage in the scriptures in areas not related to the immediate context, and we need to be careful not to do it.  This passage might well be applied to encourage the faith of believers, but it is designed to save the damned. That is a BIG misapplication! Paul makes the statement in verse 14 saying; ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? It is then that he concludes with the summary statement “so then Faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17). Paul states that it is the word of God that will do the work in the soul to stir mankind up to respond to the Gospel. To those who believe, THE WORD HEARD HERALDS HOPE. The wo

They Have Not All Obeyed The Gospel 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Rom 10:16) I remember when I was a boy watching the television series Get Smart (It was the original show with Don Adams not the new one with Steve Carell).  There was always a secret envelope for the mission that Smart was commanded to undertake.  He had to ensure he understood the message properly, that he got all the information, all the content out of that message he needed and he needed to do it relatively quickly because there always loomed that inevitable time-bound warning “this message will self-destruct in 5 seconds”. People in the 1st world live their lives today in a similar manner. They command themselves to get everything they can get out of life as quickly as possible, the famous scripture which has become a modern cliché, that we need to ‘Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ has become the personal mission statement behind everything they do. They need to do it quickly because they know that there is to be an inevitable end, sadly we don’t often get even a five-second warning.  Unlike a life that we cannot know how the journey or the outcome goes, imagine being commanded to receive a life of unimaginable joy in a body of unimaginable ability and health, sharing it with like people with whom love is the natural relationship. I adore my wife, I love her more than anything else on this earth, and to think that this same deep love that I have for her could be shared with a multitude of people in heaven astounds me.  But imagine that you are commanded to receive this, Imagine also you can enjoy this sort of life forever!  And imagine you will also share it with another person who is unimaginable in glory, such glory that you will always be in absolute awe. But there is a time limit to receive it. If it’s not received in that time frame, you will receive the exact opposite life for all eternity, when it self destructs, it will eternally affect you. As wonderful as heaven is, hell is miserable.  Seriously, you would think this is a no brainer. You’d think there could not possibly be a logical person on earth who would not take that opportunity. Especially seeing that they don’t need to do anything for it, it’s a gift. It’s a gift but its commanded to be received.  Who would pass this up? But THEY HAVE NOT ALL OBEYED THE GOSPEL. The Gospel Is A Universal Opportunity 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Rom 10:16) But they have not ALL. The command of Christ was for the Gospel to be preached to every creature (Mrk 16:15)The passage we dealt with last week shows the infinite value of the preacher respecting the value of the Gospel being universally preached.Verse 13 says simply “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” THE GOSPEL IS A UNIVERSAL OPPORTUNITY Jesus died for ALL and not for some. Though few will believe the Gospel, the atoning sacrifice of the blood of Christ was sufficient for all people in history to claim, it was not LIMITED to a few. On a side note:  There are teachings out there that give the impression that the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ was only for a few. That it was never intended to save all.  The extreme part of that view teaches that since all who are saved are predestined to salvation or elected, that therefore the balance was predestined to hell.  Sadly, there is a ‘many-century’ Old confusion among some denominations between what I referred to a couple of weeks ago as Outcome and Opportunity.  They see the limitation in the response for the Gospel and conclude, because of Gods sovereignty, it was Outcome-based rather than Opportunity rejected.  God is indeed sovereign over all things, but do not negate scripture also teaching man is free and accountable.  The confusion between two distinc

How Beautiful The Feet Of The Heralds of Hope 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! When I look at this short passage from verse 13 to 15 I see a perfect parenthesis. The lord has given to us both content and its boundary, four simple questions of infinite truth bounded by hope (v13) and blessing (latter part of v15). Like bookends holding together a volume of truth that, if taken to its perfect conclusion, should turn the world upside down. So simple are the truths contained in this passage, and yet so wonderfully profound. I have referred to it as a ‘Perfect parenthesis’ or as “bookends” containing infinite truth. Consider the bookends in their context 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Like a door entering a room filled with light and joy, a call, a one-time decision and event that saves a soul from everlasting destruction. ‘A Call’, sincere in its submission and desperate in its desire for everlasting life, CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD and “shall be saved”. As noted in my last sermon beloved, this is a one-time decision and event that is secured by the Lord for evermore. The passage clearly does not give indication of process, or a progression or a gradual salvation. Jesus said “whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” and when we have everlasting life, we are counted as his sheep. In John 10 Jesus speaks of the everlasting safety of his sheep when he said  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.” When King Agrippa responded the Gospel call of Paul the Apostle, he understood there was a definitive mark, a point at which faith brings salvation and identifies a person as ‘Christian’ when he said “Almost thou persuadeth me to be a Christian”.  To be a Christian, Jesus said, you must be born again. It is a one-time decision in your life that secures eternal hope. This verse in Romans 10:13 Is a universal declaration of hope that must be shouted from the rooftop; whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.!!! It should be shouted from rooftops, printed in Newspapers the world over, called on speakers before every program, introducing all other news items in every broadsheet paper, television program, Radio show, Podcast, blog, vlog and every single website on the internet each and every day; If it was understood how important the Gospel is, it no doubt would be. whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.!!! THE HERALD It was the work of Heralds in the royal courts who would go before the people to announce the news of A royal decree. A decree that was to inform the subjects of the King. The voices of the Heralds where anything but silent.  They would shout the decree, they made it loud and they made it clear; they ensured that all would hear, they did all they could to ensure that none would be left that had not heard.  And if there were those not in ear shot, those who did hear would chain the words of the king so all in the provinces would hear the decree. We have but one example in the word of God where a crier of Royal decrees is referred to as a “Herald” and it is found in Daniel 3, relating to the commandment of the people to worship a false image set up in the plain of Dura; Dan 3:4-6 Then an

Whosoever Believeth Sermon 32 Pr Edi Giudetti Everyone in the world desires to have the opportunity for a good life, a happy life. In this idea we are all equal in mind and desire. Few I would imagine, consciously desire to have a miserable life, few, I am sure, undertake to look for opportunities that lead to poverty and illness. The western world has been blessed with the concept of freedom and the equal opportunities provided for all who desire to achieve happiness and success in life to the degrees that life permits.  The world itself is fixated with the entire concept of Equality, so much so that it even distorts the term in ways that are impossible to achieve.  For example, rather than Equality of Opportunity, there is a push today for Equality of Outcome.  One can be achieved through virtue and truth, the other cannot be achieved without vice and deception.  Making opportunities available for all people who can perform a given task to the standard required to prolong the employment, is a virtue. Making quotas to fill a political ambition is a vice.  For example; the position for jockeys can be available for all who fit the weight and experience criteria, but you cannot make demands stating a minimum of 20% of Jockey positions should be made available to people clinically obese.  Whosoever desires to be a Jokey and fits the suitability criteria should have the opportunity.   The Gospel is the most wonderful equal opportunity that has the simplest of all criteria. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:11) The criteria is belief and the humility to call upon his name. The Gospel is equal in opportunity to all people, it is not equality of outcome.  Universalism, the belief that all people will go to heaven, is not the Gospel. Catholicism, the belief that all people will eventually get to heaven, is not the Gospel. But neither is the Criteria based on works of righteousness.  In this passage Paul shows the common errors that must be dispelled to fit the criterea of faith and humility noted. Ignorance Through Arrogance Denies Opportunity Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (Rom 10:1-3) Paul first demonstrates a burden for his people, his hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. These are his kinsmen according to the flesh, his people, his brethren, these are the chosen of God, the elect of God chosen from among the nations, and he is one of them. He refers to himself as “an Hebrew of the Hebrews” (Phil 3:5).  He has no casual desire for his people, but a great desire, one might even refer to it as a burden. In Chapter 9 he speaks to this burden even leading to a continual sorrow saying; That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Rom 9:2-3) Application: Measure that burden, give it some consideration for just a moment and consider your own burden, even for your immediate family.  Is there a great heaviness for them? Do you have continual sorrow in your heart for the lost members of your own family? If not, then it is certain you could not possibly wish that you yourself were accursed from Christ for your brethren, your kinsmen according to the flesh. Paul was a man who was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, he knew its miraculous power to save but more importantly he also knew the state of the lost. He understood the eternal state of those who will remain willfully igno

The Stumblingstone The stumblingstone in the passage of Romans 9:30-33 is the true Gospel through which many stumble over. Israel “stumbled at that stumblingstone” says Paul in the passage in Romans, because they sought their hope through the following the righteousness of the Law and not the righteousness that is in Christ, they sought it not by faith. There is no possibility of attaining heave through our own effort, Peter refered to it as a “yoke” in Acts 15, a yoke that is unable to be borne by any who attempt to attain eternal life through their own effort and not by faith. The Bible says that we are “justified by his faith” (Rom 3:28), just as was Abraham who “believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness” (Rom 4:3). Any works utilised for the attainment of eternal life becomes a wage through which God is obliged to reward, God becomes a debtor to man for the goodness of man. But man is not good, For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.Eccles 7:20 Only the Gospel can save man, only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has been given as a suitable sacrifice for sin. It is through Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty of the sin of all of mankind upon the Cross, who was made a “scapegoat”, who was given as a “ransom” and who “became sin for us, who knew no sin”. man has broken the Law of the Lord, it cannot be mended it can only be paid for by justice. Man has only one option available to him, not the prideful trust in himself, but the hopeful appeal to Christ. God will not share is glory with another, he made the way available for man, man has only to come to the Lord with Empty Hands and appeal to his grace through the Lord Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for the sin of man.

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