Have you ever been around someone who was passionate about something but was missing the mark?  Maybe they didn’t have the complete picture or they were completely off base (like a NY Jet fan but that’s another story).  Paul speaks about the passion or zeal of the Jews for God but their passion is off base.  Let’s look at his words from Romans 10 together today.  

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

The Jewish people are trying to obtain a righteousness based upon the law but one of the purposes of the law was to show them their distinct need for God.  The law shows us that we can not measure up.  We can not obtain righteousness on our own merit.  It is why we need Jesus.  Jesus fulfills the law and does for us what we could never do for ourselves.  Paul reminds us all that it is important to be zealous for our faith but that it is equally important to have the full picture.  Without Jesus our faith is for nothing.  Our “good deeds” will never measure up to God’s standard of perfection.  Only through the blood of Jesus can we be made right with God.  His amazing act of love and sacrifice is why we are offered God’s amazing grace in our lives.  Thank you Jesus for loving us while we were yet sinners.  

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave