Romans 10:1-3 says this:
Brethren, [with all] my heart’s desire and goodwill for [Israel], I long and pray to God that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a [certain] zeal and enthusiasm for God, but it is not enlightened and according to [correct and vital] knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of the righteousness that God ascribes [which makes one acceptable to Him in word, thought, and deed] and seeking to establish a righteousness (a means of salvation) of their own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God’s righteousness.
Here is the Apostle Paul saying that he is praying for all of his people to be saved! Then he goes on to say why some of them are NOT! He said that these who are not yet saved DO have a "zeal" for God. This is the Greek word "zeelos", which means: excitement of mind. It also can mean: to busy oneself about. These were people who went about doing many things that they THOUGHT would please God and bring them closer to Him, but they were mistaken! Paul says that though they had an excitement ABOUT God and were busily going about these things, their zeal was not according to "knowledge". This is the Greek word "epignosis", which means: full discernment, correct knowledge, understanding. These believers THOUGHT that they were pleasing God, but they fell short of receiving salvation because they had not yet understood that the Law was given ONLY to show that it was impossible to keep! The Law was given to show us that we REALLY need a Savior! Someone Who could actually KEEP this Law, and then stand in our place to pay the price for sin, which is death! Not just death of the physical body, but spiritual death! And THEN rise FROM that death as the ultimate Victor OVER death! HALLELUJAH! JESUS was and is this perfect Savior! They had not yet realized this! Paul goes on to say this in verse 3:
3 For being ignorant of the righteousness that God ascribes [which makes one acceptable to Him in word, thought, and deed] and seeking to establish a righteousness (a means of salvation) of their own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God’s righteousness.
Then Paul goes on to tell just how to go about receiving this wonderful, glorious, powerful, eternal and FREE Gift of Salvation! Verses 8-10:
8 But what does it say? The Word (God’s message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach, 9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Have YOU received this wonderful Salvation yet? If not, please go to our website through the link on the left and find out how! This is a decision that you will NEVER regret! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "This Is Living":
Shalom in Him!
