" 1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. "
When people say that the Bible isn't relevant to todays culture I have to chuckle to myself and wonder what planet that they are on. Paul puts it so clearly in this passage, we should get it!
#1 - He desperately wants to see the Israelites accept Jesus into their lives.
We desperately want to see the people we know accept Jesus into their lives.
#2 - He points out that they believe in God, but that their zeal isn't based on anything that is real.
We know people who believe in God, they are "spiritual", but they don't have a relationship with Jesus.
#3 - Paul tells us that they didn't know (or accept) the righteousness that comes from God, so they created their own religion which fit their needs and desires better.
Wow! Do have to go far on this one? People today create their own sense of security with a belief system they created, because, the one that God offers is to hard, to regimented, to restrictive, to . . . (fill in the blank here)
#4 - Now Paul points out that Christ ended the law so that righteousness may start with Him.
Here is where the rubber meets the road. There comes a time in everyones life when it's either Jesus or their "religion". Either Jesus is the center of our lives or not. That's the only choice. More tomorrow
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