Some Key Words (11/1/00)

Pursue (dioko [1377]):

put to flight, chase in order to catch, press on in a race, pursue, harass, persecute or be persecuted, run after, follow, pursue, seek eagerly, endeavor to acquire;

Righteousness (dikaiosune [1343]):

the essence of one who is righteous and just, fulfilling God's claims, conformity to God's standards; the state of one who is as he ought, the condition acceptable to God, integrity, virtue, correctness of thought, feeling, and action; equity of character and act

Attained (katalambano [2638]):

to seize, lay hold of, admit, catch unawares, come upon, overtake, obtain, comprehend; to make one's own, seize upon, detect, catch, understand; to take eagerly, possess

Faith (pistis [4102]):

being persuaded, belief, knowledge of, assent to, and confidence in divine truth, producing good works, miracle working faith, lively faith resulting in justification, fidelity, assurance; conviction of the truth of a thing, belief that God exists as creator and ruler of all things, that Christ Jesus is the Messiah, the means of our salvation in God's kingdom, belief with confident trust; persuasion, moral conviction of God's truth, reliance upon Christ for salvation, constancy in profession of belief

Law (nomos [3551]):

law - as distributing or administering, divine law, Mosaic law, a principle of equal weight with law; anything established as custom, law, or command, a precept or injunction, the rule of reason;

Works (ergon [2041]):

performance, the result of employment, anything which might need doing or attaining, the result of doing, the result of accumulated labor, a calling or occupation, labor done for Christ at His command; business, employment, what one does, an undertaking, the product of industriousness, an act, deed, thing done by effort; toil, an act

Stumbling stone (lithos [4348]):

an obstacle against which one might catch his foot and fall, that which causes the soul to stumble and sin; an occasion for apostasy

Offense (skandalon [4625]):

the baited trigger in a trap, also refers to the conduct of the entrapped one, the enticement leading to ruinous conduct; the trap stick, a snare, an impediment, Christ Jesus as being contrary to Jewish expectations, causing them to reject Him and salvation, anything that draws one into sin; snare, cause of displeasure or sin

Believes (pisteuo [4100]):

to believe, have mental persuasion, give credit to, be of opinion, to believe in Christ; to think to be true, place confidence in, the conviction to which one is impelled by the law of the soul, trust in Jesus, saving faith, to entrust to one; to have faith in, credit, entrust

Disappointed (kataischuno [2617]):

to dishonor, disgrace, put to shame, to find one's hope deceptive; to shame down, disgrace, put to the blush

 

Paraphrase: (11/1/00)

30 What has resulted is that the Gentiles have come to righteousness by faith, even though they weren't seeking it. 31 Meanwhile, Israel's law of righteousness proved unattainable by them. 32 Why so? Because they sought their righteousness through works without faith. They were tripped up 33 even as it was written, that God lay an offensive stone in Zion, and that those who believe in Him will not be disappointed.

Key Verse: (11/1/00)

9:32 - The issue was the means, not the action or the goal. Seeking righteousness by works apart from faith, they failed.

People Mentioned: (11/1/00)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (11/1/00)

9:30

Ro 1:17 - God's righteousness is revealed to faith, for by faith the righteous man lives. Ro 3:21-22 - Righteousness has been found where the Law was unknown, coming through faith in Jesus. Gal 2:16 - Justification is not by works of the Law, but by faith in Christ. Gal 3:24 - The law was intended to lead us to Christ, so that faith in Him could justify us. Php 3:9 - We want to be found having the righteousness of God that came by faith in Christ, not by some effort of our own to conform with Law. Heb 11:7 - Noah was made an heir to righteousness by faith, for that righteousness comes of faith.

9:31

Is 51:1-2 - Those who pursue righteousness should look to Abraham and Sarah as their examples. Ro 10:2-4 - The Jews have zeal for righteousness, but lack knowledge of God's ways. Ro 10:20 - God has been found by those who weren't looking for Him, and shows Himself to those who have not been asking after Him. Ro 11:7 - Righteousness has been obtained by those who were chosen, regardless of their seeking or not. The rest have been made incapable of understanding. Gal 5:4 - When we seek to find justification in works, we are severed from grace, for we no longer have faith in Christ. [How does Catholicism deal with this verse?]

9:32

Is 8:14 - Messiah will be a sanctuary, but to Israel He will be a cause for stumbling and entrapment. 1Pe 2:6-8 - God has chosen Christ as our foundation, the fundamental from which we ought to measure our faith. Our faith in Him will not prove unfounded. However, that foundation is a cause for the disobedient to work to their own ruin, for to that end they were appointed by God.

9:33

Is 28:16 - God placed His tested cornerstone as our foundation at great cost. We who believe will not be moved from our faith in Him. Is 8:14 - This same foundation will be our sanctuary, but at the same time a cause for stumbling in Israel. Ro 10:11 - Those who believe in Christ will not be disappointed, Ro 5:5 - for hope does not disappoint, because God's love and the Holy Spirit are poured out in our hearts to give confidence.

 

New Thoughts (11/2/00)

OK, I said it was inventory time. Lord, God, I need Your honesty to penetrate my heart in this. I stand as one warned that his heart is exceedingly deceitful. As I look at the things I do, Father, please help me to recognize if they are acts of my love for You, or just acts. And if it be the latter, Lord, help me to set those acts aside for the better things You have for me.

I know there are a number of areas that I put great effort into that are involved with my Christianity. Most obvious from here would be this study time. I remember how it started out, as I tried to work out a way to study in part to help my wife. I remember it catching my excitement and my passion. But was it love of You, or just love of learning? I remember losing my notes on a section or two, back near the start, and feeling like I'd lost a present You gave me, as I couldn't quite recover the thoughts. Now, at times, the studies begin to feel so pedantic. I've set a course for how I'll approach Your book, and I am slow to deviate from that course. But then You reveal something to my understanding that had never caught my eye before. Something of Your ways becomes more real. And I know that there's nothing I would willingly allow to keep me from this time with You and Your Word. I know these studies don't make me anything but what You have made me. They don't make me any dearer to You than I am already. I just want to know You better, and this is the way You have provided.

The next clear area of my efforts and work would be in the transitioning of these studies onto the web. There has been a hunger in me to expose my thoughts, my efforts to the sight of others. How I long for one brother, God, who would come along side me in this study, who would bring another perspective that I might miss. I know that was the point in putting this stuff out there, and I know I have seen no one respond. Whispered words of encouragement, on occasion, exclamations of surprise at the extent, but no joining in. When I felt You leading me to start this project, I prayed that You would keep me from losing the honesty of relationship You had established with me in these study times. I admit that there has been a change, I've not been able to completely shake the realization that these thoughts are exposed to any who care to look. But I feel as though this is beginning to shift back. You are turning me back to see who I am, and what You are doing in me. And for this, I thank You. I know also, that there has been a degree of pride, a desire to say "look at what I've done!" Forgive, me Father, for it's not me who's done the great work, it's You. Allow me right here and now to correct this. Look what the Lord has done! He has taken this lazy man and brought a level of commitment previously unknown. He has re-ignited in me the love of learning that had been dormant for so many years. He has uniquely prepared me for this work, and provided it ahead of time for me to perform. He has His purpose in having these studies out in the world electric, which I may never know. He is even now freeing me from my self-consciousness, and restoring the intimacy He has blessed me with in this time.

Another current effort, one which I need to take great care in understanding, is my involvement in providing Your worship in the church. God, You and I both know how deeply my love of music runs. You put it there before I was born, and it's been a passion all my life. For that passion, I thank You. But it does make it very hard to determine my motivation. What is it within me that causes such upset when things go wrong in the ministry of worship? What is it that drives me? Father, I look at the anguish and upset I've been dealing with coming back from the sound and setup at the conference to the sound and setup of our church - the sudden exposure of all that's not ideal in our environment. I look at the anger that wells up in me when others aren't as committed to the cause of worship. Why, God? Is it zealousness for You, or is it just my pride again? I know my mind wants to give You my best. I know there are so many who can do better, and I confess that there's a degree of jealousy when confronted with their talents. God, You've walked me through feelings of unworth, and spoken to me most directly to set those feelings aside. And I know my brothers and sisters in the ministry understand as no other can (besides You, of course) how much of a struggle it is to remain in worship without wandering off into performance. Why must it be this way? I know You've dealt with me repeatedly on many issues in the course of this work. You've had to constantly pull me back from imbalance, as I allowed my passion for music to overtake my passion for You, and began committing more of me than I ought to the work. You've dealt with my pride and with my insecurity. Sometimes, at the same time. But it all still wells up too often for me. I look at what occurred last night, and I have to ask why? Why do I get so bothered? Why am I willing to step into rudeness? I know my motivation was not pure. If it were, my reaction would have been pure, as well. Why these rough edges, oh God? I just want to allow my feelings to flow out from whatever instruments You allow. Music is a form of expression You've always had for me. It's always been a means for me to get into or out of a state of mind. The state of mind I want to be in - especially in Your house and before Your people - is a state of adoration towards You. I want to be able to give You my best, such as it is. I want to be in that place where I can lead, and I can play, and yet my heart and mind can be with You. I want to worship transparently before You, but I'm not quite there yet. Lord, forgive me for the pollutants I bring into Your house with me. God, help me to find the way to leave these things behind as I come into Your presence. Sweep them from me, Father, and teach me to keep the house clean that You have swept. As much as I fear to ask it, Lord, teach me humility, that when I have hurt a brother or a sister with my brashness and passionate pursuit of worship, I will reach out to them to seek forgiveness, rather than bury the thought. Teach me, as You have taught me, oh Father. I gladly surrender to whatever You need to do to bring the change in me.

Now then, there's servanthood - the work I put in around Your house, trying to relieve the burden on other workers. I feel that in this area, at least, it's simply a factor of having the abilities, and allowing You to use them. There's no great pride to be had in moving equipment from place to place, nor from closing up the building. Ah, but there's my need to tell one and all what I've done. There it is again, God. Burn it away! I'm so tired of pride poisoning everything I do. It's got to go, oh Father. That is the message I'm receiving today. I've received it before. I'm begging You, oh Lord. Take it from me! It's ill-fitting, and it's a poor witness to Your glory within, when I keep showing Your works through the filter of what I can do. I want to be found useful by You, God. You know that. But help me to be free of the need to advertise what I'm doing, what I've done. Help me to leave the glory and the boasting to You.

I know, too, that You are working me towards a work of teaching. In some ways, it seems all this has been preparation for that new thing. I pray in advance, oh God, that You would allow me to learn from what has gone before, so that I won't carry those same issues into a new place. God, You've given me many talents, and You've been showing me how to put those talents to use in Your plan. But I still claim them as my talents all too often. I forget to mention where they've come from. You know I take great pride in my mind. You gave me a good one, and I love to allow it to work. But help me to remember, God, that without You, it's a futile tool. Keep me mindful, Father, that I am by no means better than any other around me. The mind You gave me works as You intended because You intended it to. Those I am with operate as they do because You created them thus, and You intended them to be thus. Lord, help me to take my eyes off of who I am, and who others are, and rather see what You are doing in me and in them. Help me, Father, to soften my speech so that Your intended message can get through. Come with me, Lord, to wherever You send me to teach, or don't send me.

Purify my heart in all these efforts. I thank You, that You have loved me enough to enable me to do all these things. I thank You, that You would continue to love me just as much if I did none of them. I thank You, that You are patient with my mistakes, that You are gentle with Your corrections, and that You are faithful in Your companionship, even when I'm not. I love You, Father. I am glad for the things You have spoken to me about even in this inventory time. Bring the change, Lord. Bring the change.

Romans 10:20 reminds me that I found You in spite of not looking for You. I found You because You chose to be found by me. Why? So that it would be seen as Your choice, not my effort. That's been the lesson of this study. I am ever in danger of getting caught up in the effort, and forgetting the reason; of getting caught up in the accomplishments, and forgetting that it's only because of You that anything is accomplished. God, don't ever stop dealing with me on these things. Don't ever stop reminding me that it's all about You. Bring me back to these inventories again, oh Lord, so that You can correct those things in me that need fixing, so that the works I do for love of You will truly reflect Your love of me, and Your great grace.