THE STUMBLINGSTONE

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness, which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, for they stumbled at that stumblingstone. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

What shall we say then? Of all things taught in this chapter of Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, all that was predicted and confirmed by inspired Old Testament writers, this is the conclusion. God, the Creator of all things above, upon, and within the earth, and the Creator of all people that inhabit the earth, demonstrates no partiality toward mankind. When it comes to offering the hope of salvation to the world, God makes no distinction between Jews and Gentiles or between any other differences that distinguish the makeup of each human being. When God's plan of salvation was finally revealed to the world on the Day of Pentecost, this was what Peter and all other apostles taught, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him (Acts 10:34b-35). It is true that God bestowed extraordinary blessings on the children of Israel, whom He chose for a the special purpose of bringing His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. However, this purpose being accomplished, there was no further need to offer special treatment to the Jewish nation.

From the Day of Pentecost, when God's plan of salvation was revealed to the multitudes gathered in Jerusalem, by the apostles of Christ, all people of the earth were called to come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. The inspired message delivered by the apostles was, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). The multitudes, to which this sermon was preached, were mostly, if not entirely, Jews. This being true, this promise of God, as noted in verse 39, was made unto you, and to your children. However, God's promise was not limited to the nation of Israel. Verse 39 continues to say that this same promise of God was made to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Jesus confessed that His mission on earth was not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matt. 9:13b). From the Day of Pentecost forward, all that obediently responded to the call of Christ through the teaching of His holy word became,partakers of (this) heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1). Paul teaches all Christians, both then and now, that they are not to be ashamed of partaking in, or accepting, the gospel message of Jesus. It is through the power of God that we are called with an holy calling, unto salvation, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (See 2 Tim. 1:8-10). It is only through obedient faith that one is able to lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou (all people of the earth) art also called (1 Tim. 6:12).

How important is faith in Jesus Christ to our salvation? It is essential. The last two verses of the lesson text teach us that unless eternal salvation is sought by faith, Jesus Christ becomes a stumblingstone. Peter quotes the prophet Isaiah when he wrote, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded (1 Pet. 2:6). Scriptures prove that this chief cornerstone is the Savior, Jesus Christ. To those that reject Jesus as the Messiah, it becomes a stumblingstone; to those that accept Jesus as the Son of God, the promised Savior of the world, it becomes a steppingstone leading to eternal salvation. Reading on in 1 Peter 2:7-8 we are assured that believing faith in Christ is necessary in obedience to God; and without it, Jesus is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence.

The Stumblingstone is Jesus Christ. To most of the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, and to most of the world today, Jesus is a stumblingstone. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world as the chief cornerstone. Believing this, He becomes the very foundation of God's saving grace. Those that lack this believing faith reject Jesus as their Savior. To them He becomes the stumblingstone over which they fall as they journey through life, and become eternally lost! Today, become, and remain a faithful Christian!