Righteousness through faith
In this chapter, Paul is writing about the fact that in large measure, the Jewish people are failing to receive God's righteousness because they are rejecting the Gospel. Instead, the Gospel is being accepted by Gentiles, which include most of us today. Paul gives the reason in verse 32, which is also very instructive for us as we pursue after Christ. Paul says that the Jewish people failed to receive righteousness because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if they could obtain righteousness by their works. Grace is at the core of the Gospel...without grace, the Gospel ceases to exist. We can only become righteous by accepting the gift of Christ's righteousness freely given to us through His death. We cannot earn righteousness. This is something else I must constantly remind myself of...no matter how many works I may involve myself in...none of them will bring me righteousness. Nor do they need to...I already possess Christ's righteousness because He has freely given it to me through His grace. My works should occur out of thankfulness for what He has done for me and out of His leading in my life. They should never be motivated out of a desire to earn God's favor.
