Romans 10:1-3

I have known many people who have not obeyed the gospel. I’ve known many people who were involved in some denominational religious practice but they were not obeying the teaching of Christ. In some of these people there is a sincerity, a zeal and emotion for religion that is obvious. They are moved by religious ceremony. They have an obvious interest in some aspects of bible teaching. They give generously of their money and time. It simply cannot be denied there is a peculiar passion and zeal they have for and about their religious life. The problem is, they are not continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. In fact, they may be tied to a human creed, with the deadly allegiance to man creeds involve and promote.

Here’s what the apostle Paul said about this in Romans 10:1-3…

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

THEIR CONDITION…

…is described as having ZEAL WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE.

Paul had no doubt about their sincerity, their emotion and enthusiasm about God. He knew what he was talking about. Because he himself, before obeying the gospel, was extremely zealous! In his career as a militant, Pharisee & persecutor of the church – he proved himself to have extraordinary zeal for what he believed was right.

Gal. 1:14 – he said he was “more exceedingly zealous.” In Phil. 3:6 – “concerning zeal, persecuting the church.” In Acts 22:3 – “zealous toward God.” Paul expressed no doubt about their sincerity, emotion and enthusiasm — he knew their condition, because he had been there.

They had zeal. There was a fervency and passion about their religious beliefs and behavior. Josephus said “They had a zeal for God … over and above the requirements of the Law.

THEIR CONDEMNATION…

WAS THAT THEY WERE NOT SUBMITTING TO GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Strange how people think sometimes. Here are people who believe in God, say they want to obey God and they demonstrate sincerity, zeal and passion for God. But instead of submitting to God’s plan, they come up with their own plan. Instead of obeying God, they obey men. Instead of respecting and obeying the Word of God, they respect and obey the doctrines and commandments of men.

You see, it is possible to be sincere, zealous, even militant and passionate about God and religion, and yet be lost… because we are not submitting to the righteous plan and will of God.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

The order should be: Knowledge –> submitting to the righteousness of God, and then –> Zeal. Each of us should have zeal — perhaps more than we presently have — but it must always be based on the knowledge of God’s will and our submission to Him.