So what are we going to say? Gentiles who weren’t striving for righteousness achieved righteousness, the righteousness that comes from faith. But though Israel was striving for a Law of righteousness, they didn’t arrive. Why? It’s because they didn’t go for it by faith but they went for it as if it could be reached by doing something. They have tripped over a stumbling block. As it is written: Look! I’m putting a stumbling block in Zion, which is a rock that offends people. And the one who has faith in him will not be put to shame. Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire is for Israel’s salvation. That’s my prayer to God for them. I can vouch for them: they are enthusiastic about God. However, it isn’t informed by knowledge. They don’t submit to God’s righteousness because they don’t understand his righteousness, and they try to establish their own righteousness. Christ is the goal of the Law, which leads to righteousness for all who have faith in God. (Romans 9:30 —10:4, CEB)
Striving for righteousness as something we can work towards and do enough to achieve is not how it works. Righteousness is not something we obtain by doing the right number of good deeds for others. We need to trust, have faith in God that the promise of righteousness is true, and in that, obtain righteousness. Not from doing but just being.
Just being who God created us as is how we get righteousness, because God gives it.
Now that does not mean we do not do anything. But we do because we have obtained, not to obtain.
We love because we have been and are loved.
Why do you do what you do?
aSacredRebel 