Zeal Without Knowledge

"For I bear them 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 10:2-3).

Paul was writing about the nation of Israel for they had rejected Jesus as Messiah mostly because they were seeking the Messiah in "all the wrong places" and seeking that which was not of God.  While Paul in those two verses was speaking of Israel he goes on to apply that problem with all who are not knowledgeable and seek God in their own manner.  Zeal is not proof of truth, only proof of being zealous.  We can see for ourselves what zealousness has done:  the Holocaust, 9/11, bombing of abortion clinics, even the killing of an abortion doctor are because of zeal without true knowledge.  Many people who call themselves "Christian" are zealous, seeking salvation through experiences, rather than knowledge.  Many have gone out form us with their own form of righteousness that has no Biblical basis.  We are a people today more than ever looking for the supernatural.  We can testify to that fact by just looking at the type of movies that are shown at theaters.  The type of television shows much about the super-natural.

Much of what is written in books, for it does sell books because we love the super-natural, the suspenseful, stories about the "last days."  This is nothing new for throughout church history the question about the last days and when we can expect the return of  Jesus causing much to be written about and discussed.  It is more true today than ever for men and women have found a way to misuse the scripture they have found a way to promote their own form of righteousness apart from the truth of God's word.  This misleads many, causes many to leave the Church when prophecies of the "last days" come and go with no change, no return of Jesus.  The Church is ridiculed by non-Christians and rightly so.

Are we in the "last days?"  Yes!  Were those living in the 1500's in the last days? Yes! Were those at Pentecost in the "last days" Yes!  Do we know when Jesus is coming back?  No! Should we be setting dates for Christ's return?  No!  Shall we perceive the coming in any manner?  All we have to do is look at the world and how far it is from God, the actions of people, nations, worldviews, give us a clue that things are progressing but still we, and the Son, do not know the actual time of Christ's return.  Big in many Churches are "signs and wonders" as an expression to demonstrate that we are in the "last days."  Those who hold to these "signs and wonders" as God's Spirit upon them often quote:  "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:17):

Peter was quoting from Joel 2:28 and it was Joel that prophesied that it "shall" come to pass and Peter telling the crowd it has come, the last days have begun and Peter's choice of words show that that historical event began and was to continue until Christ comes.  Did those who were saved that day demonstrate what had happened upon those in the upper room; the speaking in tongues, the tongues of fire, and a rushing wind?  Was it the speaking in their languages, (tongues) that caused them to come to Christ and be saved?  No!  It was the preaching of Christ crucified, resurrection and ascension into heaven: it was the message of salvation that caused them to be saved.  It is no less what is needed today, the message of repentance; "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"..."Then they gladly received his word and were baptized"...(Acts 2:38, 41a):

It isn't signs and wonders, slain in the spirit, healing seminars, etc., it is the message of salvation that the world needs to hear and then lived out in our lives.  This is true doctrine, this is where our zeal comes from that we then desire to speak about Christ and Him alone, not Christ and something else, only Christ and Him crucified.  He is coming for God's word is truth.  We are for now his arms, legs, mouths, to speak of His redemptive act on the cross.  As Paul stated: "But we preach Christ crucified..." (1 Corinthians 1:23a).

Daily Prayer:

Thank You Father for You have given us Your Word to guide us until You send Your Son back to us to bring us home with You and to end the plight of this fallen world.  Help me to not look elsewhere but unto Your Son and to the truth of Your Word.  Then Lord use my life to bring the Good News to my world.  Amen