Ep. 299. Romans 10 | A Zeal For God

EPISODE 299

A ZEAL FOR GOD: ROMANS 10

Paul quotes a lot of Scripture (Old Testament) in his letters, making it all the more important that we read and comprehend the Old Testament. If we don't know what Paul is quoting or for what reason, it will be difficult for us to understand the point he is trying to make to the saints in Rome.

Again, Paul says that the Jews were "Ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." And "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." If I didn't say it in the video, I will now. "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." To the people who want to kick back against that and say, "But we still have to do the Ten Commandments, don't we;" I want to remind you that our righteousness is initially supplied by faith in the work of God through Christ and is maintained by that same faith. It is not the commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," that guards me from idolatry, but the deep love I have for my savior. I have not kept myself from adultery because the commandment says, "Do not commit adultery," but I have been kept from adultery by the Spirit at work in me who has built such a deep love in my heart for my God and King that adultery is not even a possibility. We've made the mistake, like the Jews, of believing that the law/rules safeguard people from sin, but that was never the case. (go check out the last few verses of Colossians 2. The law can never stop the desires of the flesh)

Instead of heaping up more laws, good though they may be, let us instead submit to the Spirit at work within us so that our lives will embody the righteousness Christ has imparted to us. We will get into this more in Galatians and Colossians.

ADDITIONAL READING: Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Leviticus 18:5; Nehemiah 9:29; Ezekiel 20:11-13; Romans 2:11; Isaiah 28:16; Romans 3:22; Joel 2:32; Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15; Isaiah 53:1; Psalm 19:1-4; Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65: 1-5