Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Aug 22, 2024 - Zeal Without Knowledge”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsZeal Without Knowledge
Reading: Romans 9:30-10:4
God has done something unexpected. “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works”(Rom 9:30-32). God has given righteousness to people who did not seek it (see Rom 10:20) and allowed the people who did seek it to be lost. Why did God do this? “Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.” Israel sought God’s approval and righteousness in the wrong way—specifically, in a way that glorified themselves rather than God.
Yet Paul does not denigrate the intensity of the Jewish pursuit of righteousness. He has lived it. “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge”(Rom 10:2). Paul knows their interest in the Torah, their willingness to sacrifice, and their holistic concern for purity laws. The problem is not desire and passion; the problem is their method. “For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes”(Rom 10:3-4). If I keep the law perfectly, I am righteous on my own. If I believe in Jesus in order to be righteous, I have God’s righteousness. All the zeal in the world does not bridge the gap between these.
We admire zeal and dedication wherever we see it. Because we value those who are dedicated in pursuit of athletic goals or entrepreneurial work, we might mistakenly conclude that passion is all that matters in spiritual things. Zeal without knowledge is especially dangerous; we are running 1000 miles an hour in the wrong direction. The goal is to have passion for things that are good and right. Zeal combined with knowledge is a powerful force for good.
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One Thing to Think About: Am I zealous? Am I knowledgeable?
One Thing to Pray For: A passion for my God
