"For the scripture saith WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED" Romans 10v11.
This is now the second deduction of Paul, concerning the righteousness of faith. Having stated the result of heart-belief as righteousness(a right standing with God), he now focuses on the OBJECT of that faith which is Jesus Christ. In a delightful way, he shows that old and new testaments of Holy Scripture are an integral whole, by quoting Isaiah 28v16.
The entire point of this is...........WHERE IS MY FAITH? On what am I relying for my eternal welfare? or rather on whom am I relying? whom do I trust with my eternal soul? Is there something, or someone, I can rely on, where I will not be let down, or disappointed, or ashamed? Yes, indeed, says Paul, there is One you can rely on, with absolute certainty "Believe on Him, and you will not be ashamed". He turns us over to ISAIAH, in this connection, which makes very interesting reading. "Therefore thus saith the Lord God. Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste(shall not panic, shall not have cause to flee from danger is the idea). Isaiah 28v16.
Notice the progression of thought: the Lord God laid the stone, who will contradict Him?; He laid the stone in ZION, the future land mark where all the plans of God will come to fruition, nothing and no one will prevent that!; He is laying a FOUNDATION STONE, reliable, solid, a rock upon which we build our homes, a spiritual rock on which we can build our eternal life!; this is a TRIED and tested stone, tried in the cauldron of life on earth, and in the searing fires of Calvary's cross. Who tried Him? Men tried Him; demons tried Him; God tried Him. Read the gospel records for the extent of this. What was the ultimate testimony concerning Him? GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, GOD RATIFIED HIS LIFE AND DEATH, GOD ASCENDED HIM TO HEAVEN'S GLORY, GOD CROWNED HIM LORD OF ALL . It is finally a PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, a stone of incalculable value, the stone by which all edifices for eternity will be measured, and it is a sure foundation on which everyone can rely for their eternal blessing.
The apostle Paul himself had committed the keeping of his eternal soul to Christ "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." 2nd Timothy 1v12 Again the writer to the Hebrews says this "wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7v25 No-one who puts their trust in Jesus Christ will be disappointed, or have cause to regret. the entire bible is full of this fact. Jehovah spoke in Psalm 2verses 6-12 "Yet have I set my king upon My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my son this day have I begotten Thee. Ask if Me and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession....... be wise now therefore O ye kings, be instructed ye judges of the earth, serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest He be angry and ye perish in the way when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him."
Who else can we rely on for eternity, on ourselves? ; on our own works? all our good works are as filthy rags in God's sight. Can we rely on our nation? the nations are like a drop of a bucket in the sight of God. Can we rely on our family lineage, the kinsmen among whom we were born? No family pedigree carries any weight with God. Can we rely on our church? Only God can forgive sins, churches are supposed to be places where already forgiven people meet. Can we rely on a spiritual leader? they are all dead like we will be some day, they are just men at the best and they carry no weight in heaven. Can I rely on the goodness of God, the belief by many that God will never punish sinners for all eternity? God's goodness is based on His righteousness and only the righteousness of Christ will be recognized. Can I rely on my influence in the world, whether in intellectual prowess or business acumen? None of this has anything to do with the other side, the currency of heaven is altogether different to that of this world.
The context of Isaiah 28 from which Paul takes this glorious quotation is that those who would seek God's approval in any other way have come to rely on what the prophet describes as a REFUGE OF LIES (Isaiah 28v15: Isaiah 28v17). What is your refuge of lies? Is it the world's media, constantly contradicting the word of God? Is it the education system, of which God says the wisdom of this world is foolish with Him? Is it the refuge of lies being propagated from pulpits and rogue religions across the world? Do not be fooled because Isaiah 28v17 says "Judgement also will I lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." There is only one in whom we can rely for eternity.
WHOSOEVER BELIVETH IN HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.
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