Like many in churches across America today, Paul addressed zealots in Isreal who sincerely desired to follow God but did so having never experienced a personal relationship with the God they served. Both groups share common characteristics:
1. Both are sincere, but sincerely wrong.
Rom. 10:2-3, 10-11
“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God,”
2. Both operate according to emotion and misunderstanding instead of truth.
“but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,”
3. Both assume that righteous living is the key to eternal life.
“and going about to establish their own righteousness,”
4. Both reject repentance because they self identify themselves as “Good”.
“have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.“
5. Both believe that change occurs in a person’s actions first in order for their hearts to be renewed and earn their salvation.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
6. Most are too proud to acknowledge their lost condition when God’s word is revealed and the Gospel is presented.
“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
LESSON - Many who have repented from man made religion and self righteousness in order to follow Christ have described their experience using similar terminology. They all say that salvation seemed “too easy or simple”. Salvation is simple to understand and receive, but required much from God to make it available to us. Until faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection becomes sufficient payment for all of your sin, you will constantly strive to obtain righteousness on your own only to fail in the end when it really matters. Put your faith in Jesus alone and experience a REAL relationship with Him.
V9, 13 “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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
~Mike
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