Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

Christ, while living and preparing Israel for their coming kingdom of heaven, was teaching on the dangers of lack of faith. Christ is "the foundation" to build upon, (THE Rock). Their works without faith in Christ have no true foundation and are then "of sand". They are the "workers of iniquity", who had greater faith in their works than in Christ. They had higher esteem in their own works of righteousness than in God. The pride of their religion, rather than their faith, caused their stumble at Christ's first coming:

Rom 9:31-33
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Rom 10:1-3
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 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."

In comparison, Israel's fall led to salvation coming by God's grace through having faith alone in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9) to anyone who will believe today (Eph 3:2).

Rom 11:11
"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

Israel will again someday be in an elevated position with God when Christ returns with their promised kingdom for their "times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19).

Rom 11:25-28
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes."

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