A Zeal of God

The Apostle Paul stated, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:1-3). The Lord is willing to forgive Israel for rejecting their Messiah, if they will repent.

The same holds true today for the modern Church. The Lord will save those in the Church who will accept His righteousness and who will not attempt to establish their own righteousness. In other words, God does not accept righteousness based on our own works. He only accepts the righteousness of His Son and those to whom His Son imputes righteousness. The only true way to be righteous in the eyes of God is to receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith in what He did for us on the Cross of Calvary. That's it -- I am only righteous in the eyes of God by believing that Jesus Christ paid the price for my sin on the Cross of Calvary, for the wages of sin is death. And I can only live righteous by a faith that believes that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is given unto me and reigns in my life, for "sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14). "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:17-18).

The "form of doctrine" that we are to believe to be free from sin and become servants of righteousness is the preaching of the Cross, "For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God...we preach Christ crucified" (I Corinthians 1:18, 23). The Apostle Paul also stated, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:2).

This is my desire as well for all who have rejected Jesus Christ and what He did on the Cross of Calvary to redeem humanity. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). But, "God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

Accept the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith and His righteousness will be manifest in your life!