"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. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
Today's lesson is generally self explanatory and needs very little commentary. It, again, confirms that eternal salvation CANNOT be achieved by the "good" deeds of the Law.
The point that Paul was trying so hard to make to his brother and sister Jews, (And to those who today still believe that maintaining a life without sin is necessary to achieve and maintain everlasting life.), is that the ONLY thing that can purify a mortal soul to the point of reunion with Father God is that righteousness which is imputed into that lost soul through FAITH in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "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)~
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