Pursuing a Law

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, “ BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Romans 9:30-33

Here, Paul is comparing the Jews and the Gentiles. For the most part, the Jews were seeking God by strictly obeying a law, but they had no relationship with God. They felt that strict obedience was the way to please God.

As the Gentiles came to know Jesus, they realized that it took more than strict obedience. Being a Christian means that we, first of all, have a relationship with Jesus Christ as our King. We love Him and deeply appreciate what He has done for us. And, because He is King of our lives, we obey every detail that He shows us in the Bible and by His Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

So, in many ways, these two groups of people look alike. They both strictly obey the Bible, but the heart motivation is different. The Jews were living in grudging obedience. The Gentiles were living a joyful, fulfilling life because their obedience was based on a personal relationship with Christ, thankfulness to Him, and love for Him. May that be the way we always live.