Religious And Zealous!

Being religious is a good thing. Having a zealousness about us is also good. However, we should bear in mind that being religious doesn’t necessarily mean we are right! And even zeal can be very much misdirected. It is possible for me to be very religious about eating cake every Friday. I could even have a great zealousness for chocolate cake. It is the OBJECT of our religion and the FOUNDATION of our zealousness that must be closely guarded.

Perhaps there is no greater example of one who was so misguided at one point in his life as we find in the story of Saul who became the Apostle Paul. Among his own references to his formerly misdirected life he stated…

“(6) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” ( Philippians 3:6 ESV)

See where his own zeal had led him? Also note the righteousness he focused on in his own observance of the law. However, was he right? No! His zeal had led him to work against God. He also had to learn that he could not depend on a righteousness of his own, but that which came through his faith in and relationship with Christ. ( Philippians 3:9)

In his letter to the church at Rome, as Paul referred to his Jewish brethren who had not yet acknowledged Christ, he noted…

“(1) Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (2) For I bear them witness that THEY HAVE A ZEAL FOR GOD, BUT NOT ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE. (3) For, being IGNORANT OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, and SEEKING TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” ( Romans 10:1-4 ESV)

Yes, Paul knew! He was well aware of the struggle they were having because he had been there himself. It is to God and His righteous standard and will and that we are to submit. And our religion and zeal are to be based on that KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL!

Jesus gave Himself for us, to redeem, purify, and make us His own as a people “zealous for good works.” ( Titus 2:14) Later on in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he urged his readers… “(11) DO NOT BE SLOTHFUL IN ZEAL, BE FERVENT IN SPIRIT, SERVE THE LORD.” ( Romans 12:11 ESV)

May the Sovereignty of God and our Lord Jesus Christ remain the OBJECT of our religion and may our zealousness be based on a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD AND WILL. It is not our own desires and ideas, but rather the Lord’s we are to be diligently serving!

Have a great day KEEPING FOCUS AND WORKS IN LINE WITH GOD’S WILL!
Carl

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