Romans 10:1-4

Passage

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God is into salvation on their behalf.  For I witness to them that they have a zealousness of God but not according to knowledge.  For while failing to understand the righteousness of God and while seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness of God.  For the end of the Law is Christ into righteousness for all the ones who believe.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here we see the heart of the evangelist.  He knows that vast majority of Jesus’ own people rejected Him.  He knows that most have not chosen to follow Him and His teachings.  He knows that they are missing out on salvation.  But rather than be angry at them, he prays for them.  He desires them to be saved.  This is the heart of God and an evangelist who knows the heart of God.  Paul cares more about their salvation than their rebellion.

Why is it hard to care more about a person’s salvation than their rebellion?  Why do we tend to focus on how other people reject us rather than focusing on their salvation?

Second Thought:

Paul then gives us great advice in his critique of the Jewish position.  What can absolutely be said about the Jews is that they had a zealousness for doing the right thing.  They wanted to be obedient to the Law.  In fact, they wanted to exceed the Law.  The problem is, their zeal is misdirected.  God does not want blind obedience.  Even the Old Testament prophets know this.  See Psalm 51:15-17 or Hosea 6:6.  God doesn’t want sacrifice for sacrifice’s sake.  God wants us to be in tune with His direction.  He wants us to have more than His ways; He wants us to have His heart, too.

Do you tend to be more into Law or grace?  Why is it important to be obedient?  Why is it important to have the right motivation for obedience?  What is the right motivation for obedience?

Third Thought:

Christ is the end of the Law into righteousness.  This doesn’t mean that Christ demolishes the Law.  Another word for “end” is “goal.”  In other words, Christ is the goal of the Law.  Christ completes the Law.  The Law demonstrates how unrighteous we are; Christ comes along and paves the way for righteousness to come to us.

How does Christ pave the way for righteousness to come to us?  How can you live as though you are righteous even while knowing that we still struggle with sin?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 10:5-9