Sacrificing Pride

Romans 9:30-10:5

At the tribal sawmill in Navajo, New Mexico, there was a walkway marked with paint that came up to where the carriage for the logs was. There was a sign just past the walkway that warned of danger when if outside the lines. At one point, it was necessary to step over a chain mechanism which carried logs from the debarker to the carriage. A step had been provided on each side, and signs warned to avoid stepping onto the chain or getting close to moving logs. When taking tours through the mill, people often became so involved in watching the machinery and reading the warning signs, they failed to see the step that helped prevent catching their foot on the chain.

God gave the Law to make man aware of his sin. It was very much like the sign, warning that if you were in the area, you were in danger. Romans 3:19-20 describes the purpose. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” While the sign made you aware of the dangers, one still needed to look where to step. Like many of the visitors to the mill, the Jews had focused on the signs, without looking where they were stepping. The Gentiles were like someone who couldn’t read. While they didn’t have the warnings, by being careful and observant, they could avoid tripping over the step, and might avoid dangers the readers didn’t see.

“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:30-33)

Pride in their reading in the signs could result in carelessness and injury to the readers. Pride in their knowing the law and keeping it caused many Jews to not see Christ as the way of salvation, even though he was unavoidable. To them he became something to trip over, rather than a savior.

The marked walkway and the warning signs gave an illusion of safety, but a single stepping out of bounds or carelessness could result in injury. A single violation of the law was a disaster. James 2:10-11 tells us, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” All the care up to that point could be wiped out in a single instant.

Romans 3:10-12 describes man’s nature. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." As a result, Romans 3:23 concludes, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This means we deserve the punishment prescribed by the law for our sin.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Galatians 3:10-12)

Paul was very concerned about Israel’s salvation. They had a great zeal to please God, but it wasn’t based on the facts. In their pride in their own ability, they were rejecting the solution God offered, nor acknowledging their sin. I John 1:8-10 warns, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Matthew 18:2-4 stresses this essential humility. “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Israel was not willing to humble themselves and admit their sin, and thus could not be saved.

“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” (Romans 10:1-5)

Until a person recognizes his own inability to earn his way to heaven, and acknowledges his sin and need for Christ’s salvation, he cannot be saved. God does not want us to take the credit. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” (Ephesians 2:8-9) In effect, he is calling God a liar.