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)
Do you know all of the rules?
Do you follow all of the rules?
Have you ever seen someone new to the community reach a status of someone who has been a member for all of their life, even though they can not possibly know all of the “rules”?
You see there are the written rules, then every community has their unwritten rules. We need to know all of these and follow them to be in right with those who control the community.
But Paul tells the Romans that in God’s community it’s not about the rules. Even if you know the rules and try to keep them, that will not get you in the right standing with God. You have to have faith and believe that God is going to do what He has promised. We can only get in right standing with God by believing and following God where He leads us not just doing what those around us say is right.
aSacredRebel 