Unlimited: A Righteousness That is By Faith
Mar 30, 2023 1483
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith (Romans 9:30).
Paul now introduces a great irony. The Gentiles didn’t pursue righteousness. They didn’t have the law and the prophets, and so they couldn’t do the things that led to righteousness. Despite all of this, they obtained righteousness. However, they did not obtain righteousness through the law, but through faith.
You can pursue righteousness all your life, with all the best intentions, and exerting your best efforts, and never find it. However, there are those who never pursue righteousness, and yet it comes to them.
The difference is knowing where righteousness is found, not in human performance, but in a faith that connects us with the One who is righteous. This same faith teaches us that we cannot pursue or reach righteousness, but that it has come to us.
They obtained a righteousness that is by faith, not the law.
The criminal on the cross illustrates this concept well. He had pursued evil, and so he had ended up being executed for his crimes. Even though he hadn’t pursued righteousness, it came to him in the person of the crucified Saviour.
In his final hours, the criminal recognised the salvation that was in Christ, and said to him,
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42.)
Jesus responded with words of perfect assurance of salvation:
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43.)
Spiritual Application
Have you heard the expression “come to Jesus” or “finding God”? Is it we who come to God and who find him, or is it he who comes to us? Read the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4–7 to find out.
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