By Faith

Romans 9:16 KJV
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Romans 9:30-32 KJV
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;

Righteousness comes to us not by our will - we want it so we have it.
Nor does it come to us through our efforts - we want it so we run after it.
Righteousness comes to us through the mercy of God and through faith in Jesus Christ.

This very truth has been the stumblingstone to countless souls who would not seek righteousness by faith but through their religious efforts. I am thinking of the Gentiles as those who have little or no religious background and Israel as those (in my illustration today - even Gentile people) who have strong religious practices. There are people in churches all over the world today who are seeking righteousness through the works of their church. Somewhere along the way they got righteousness confused with being a good church member. Christ has taken second place in their lives, if He has a place at all.

And the Lord is calling us back to Jesus Christ.