ROMANS 9:32

“Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,”

I have mentioned before that I have pretty bad neuropathy in my feet caused by the chemo I had while going through my stem cell transplants. This means I can’t feel my toes very well and therefore have to be very careful when walking on uneven surfaces. Even rugs in my house can cause me stumble if I am not careful. Stones and rocks outside are even worse. That’s a shame because I really like to walk in the woods. I’m always careful, but there is always the chance that I could take a fall.

The word used by Paul here for “stumbling” is proskomma which literally means “a stumbling, an occasion of stumbling.” (NAS Exhaustive Concordance) The word is used six times in the New Testament, each time by Paul except for its one use by Peter in 1 Peter 2:8 where he quotes the same passage Paul does in tomorrow’s verse. Proskomma paints a picture in today’s verse of something that tripped up the Jews. Look at this description of the word. “The stone on which they stumbled was Christ, and especially His Cross…the Cross offended them because, as interpreted by Paul, it summoned them to begin their religious life, from the very beginning, at the foot of the Crucified, and with the sense upon their hearts of an infinite debt to Him, which no “works” could ever repay.” (Expositor’s Greek Testament)

APPLICATION

So, you may be thinking What has that got to do with me? Well, let me tell you. What is it about the Gospel that trips you up? What has caused you to doubt your faith? Is there something in your life right now that is causing you to stumble in your walk with Christ? Or is there something in your life that is causing someone else to stumble? Paul warns us about this last one in Romans 14:13. “Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.”

Just as the Jews stumbled over the fact that Jesus, Who died on a cross, was the Messiah, we too stumble over simple truths in His Word. We don’t want to believe certain things. We don’t want to submit to Him in all aspects of our lives. These are stumbling blocks for us. But if we walk in His footprints, we know we will never stumble. When you’re walking through a minefield you want to step exactly where the one who knows where they lie is stepping. Jesus knows all the minefields the devil is laying for you. Step in His steps.

The Topical Lexicon describes proskomma this way, “The gospel divides humanity. For those pursuing righteousness ‘as if it were by works,’ Christ becomes ‘a stumbling stone’. The offense arises because grace nullifies self-effort; yet those who receive Him find secure footing.” Find your secure footing today. 1 Corinthians 3:11 tells us that Jesus is the firm foundation. Build your life on Him, and you can avoid those stumbling stones of life.

Thank You, God, for helping me step securely.  

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis).