How can we help others avoid the mistake described in Romans 9:32? The Core Problem Highlighted in Romans 9:32 “Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.” (Romans 9:32) • Israel sought right standing with God by performance instead of believing God’s promise in Christ. • Reliance on human effort blinded them to the very Messiah who fulfilled the Law. Faith—God’s Only Path to Righteousness • “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) • “We know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) • “For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4) • “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Helping Others Avoid the Same Trap 1. Present a clear, Christ-centred gospel. • Show that Jesus’ finished work secures righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Emphasise “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” (John 6:29) 2. Contrast grace with self-effort. • Use Romans 11:6—grace and works cannot mix. • Share Titus 3:5 to underline that salvation rests on mercy, not merit. 3. Model grace in daily life. • Admit personal shortcomings, rest in forgiveness, avoid boasting. • Celebrate others’ successes without comparing performance. 4. Ground disciples in Scripture. • Encourage regular reading of John, Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. • Memorise key verses that exalt faith over works. 5. Clarify the role of works after salvation. • Works flow from genuine faith (James 2:17) but never earn favor. • Serve because you are accepted, not to be accepted. Key Passages to Share Frequently • 1 Peter 2:6-8 (the “stone of stumbling”) Practical Signs Someone Is Slipping into Works-Righteousness • Constant anxiety over spiritual “performance.” • Comparing personal disciplines with others to measure worth. • Treating failures as proof of lost standing with God. • Reluctance to accept undeserved kindness. Strategies to Redirect Them • Tell personal stories of learning to rest in Christ. • Celebrate progress in trusting God rather than tallying achievements. • Invite them into grace-saturated community—Bible studies, testimonies, worship filled with gospel truth. Guarding the Next Generation • Teach children early that obedience is response, not requirement for love. • Tie every moral lesson back to Jesus’ provision, not merely behavior. • Encourage questions about grace; answer with Scripture, not slogans. Encouragement for the Journey Staying centered on Christ keeps stumbling stones from becoming obstacles. Continually return to the simple, life-altering truth: righteousness is received, never earned, and faith in the risen Savior secures it forever. |
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