Romans 10:1-4 – “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  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.”

I have to admit, I read the above passage, and it scares me.  It makes me fearful for a large body of professing believers.  There are three main points that I want to highlight about the people Paul is talking about above.

1)  They seemingly have a passionate outward affection for God.
2)  They are seeking to be righteous
3)  They are not saved

I look at the number of church dwellers on Sunday, and I’m not even sure if many have made it as far as the people Paul is describing above.  I know a great many Christians who simply believe that because Jesus died for their sins, they can go on living in their sin and Jesus will forgive them.  That is NOT Biblical.

Hebrews 10:26-27 – “if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” 

But we’re not talking about that group of people, we’re looking at the type of people Paul talked about above.  These were seemingly “good” and “nice” people.  These were people who showed up at church every Sunday.  These were people who held tightly to their moral convictions.  These were people who remained under the wrath of God, just as lost as the greatest sinner walking the streets.

Christianity is not about finding a better you.  Christianity is not about being a better more moral person.  Someone who believes that is missing the WHOLE point of the cross.  The point of the cross of Christ is that you aren’t a good person, you never would be, you never could be.  When you understand that not just your bad deeds, but even your best deeds are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) in front of the righteousness of God, THEN you by God’s grace may have eyes to see your need for a savior.  I am a Christian, and when I am in front of God, should He ask me what good thing I have done, I will kneel and say meekly – nothing, but by your grace and mercy I have trusted and followed the One who is Good, Jesus, Who has ransomed me with His blood.

My exhortation is the goal of Paul above; trust only in Jesus Christ’s righteousness, not your own.  Submit fully to Him in every way, especially from His Word.  There is a right way, a wrong way, and God’s way to live life.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.   Let us commit ourselves to Him, for His glory, to be a people who joyfully are led by Him into His righteousness, not our own.

Grace and Peace,
Adam