25 August 2025
“What should we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written, Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and the one who believes on him will not be put to shame.”
Mark explained, “Gentiles have obtained righteousness from faith. And Israel has failed to achieve righteousness by law keeping. Faith receives what striving can never earn. Righteousness.” Israel tried to climb the ladder of the law, but they fell. Gentiles, who were not even climbing, received righteousness by faith. That is the great reversal.
The word “righteousness” appears again and again in this passage. Mark said, “Righteousness means to be in right standing with God.” Israel pursued self-righteousness, trying to be accepted by their obedience. But self-righteousness is no righteousness at all. It cannot hold the weight of God’s holy standard. Only faith in Christ can.
Mark told the story of two Jewish men, Bin-yamin and Ari. “Bin-yamin and Ari realise their self-righteousness is no righteousness at all… A friend shares the good news of the gospel with them. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins and rose again.” One stumbles in anger at the message, but the other believes with tears. Paul had already written, “The one who believes on him will not be put to shame.”
This is not ancient history. It is present reality. Many still trip over Christ because they prefer their own effort. Many still stumble because they try to earn God’s approval through performance. But those who trust in Christ alone stand secure. Mark pressed this home, “Faith receives what striving cannot earn.”
So what about you? Your worth is not built on performance at work, at home, or even at church. You can stop measuring your righteousness by effort. Rest in Christ’s finished work. Around the table tonight, ask your children what it means to believe in Jesus rather than be “good enough.”
Question: Where are you tempted to measure your worth by performance instead of faith?
Prayer:
Lord, deliver me from the weariness of striving. Help me to rest in the righteousness of Christ, not in my own performance. Teach me to trust, not to earn. Amen.
Read the sermon notes here.
Watch the sermon here.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.