The Stumbling Stone

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ashamed: or confounded - Romans 9:33

    In this verse, Sion is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, while the Stumblingstone and Rock is Christ himself. Those who seek to be justified by their own works are those that stumble and fall, because they believe not on Christ for all their righteousness. Those who believe on him shall not be ashamed, confounded, or fall.

    The Lord Jesus Christ is our righteousness—period! If he is not, we have none—period! Self-righteousness is the offending characteristic of our depraved human nature before God. The imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ is the hope and salvation of God’s elect.

    Self-righteousness embodies unbelief, doubt, rebellion, and hatred for God and his Christ. Self-righteousness is an abomination to God, because it exalts the creature above the Creator. The unbeliever is offended and stumbles upon Christ and his righteousness.

    The righteousness of Christ humbles the child of God and exalts the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have submitted themselves to the righteousness of Christ, willingly and gladly renounce their own righteousness, which is of the law, and embrace Christ and his righteousness.

    Christ is the Stone and Rock of our salvation. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Gal 6:14).