Is Zeal For God Enough to Go To Heaven?

Some people observe every religious rule and regulation of dogma hoping that strict observance of religious discipline will earn them a place in heaven, but is it enough to get us in heaven?

"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 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. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Romans 10: 2-4, NIV.

ZEAL
The Bible passage above speaks of a particular people but the point applies to all. These people were famous for their strict observance of the teaching of Moses and the Prophets, interpreting the scriptures with such strictness to guarantee that they did not fail to keep all the hundreds of laws they perceived.

RIGHTEOUSNESS
They knew they needed righteousness as the grounds upon which they may stand before a holy and just God to have his acceptance, favor, and entrance into heaven.

RELATIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Paul the Apostle points out that their zeal was without knowledge. On the surface, this looks backward since they knew the hundreds of laws and interpretations of those laws. The knowledge Paul referred to is not head knowledge of religion and traditions but heart knowledge that comes from knowing and experiencing God. This second type of knowledge is superior since it is the knowledge that comes from a relationship with God. Without a relationship with God, the only other option is to establish righteousness based on strict observation of rules. This man-made righteousness is not sufficient to cover sins.

The problem with having zeal without knowledge is that you may miss the point. In this case a relationship with God and our hope of salvation, it is a big point. How tragic to spend a life observing every little rule and discovering God had something else in mind- something better.

THE SOURCE

Righteousness given by God

The point of the laws and teachings of the scriptures is not the laws and teachings for if righteousness could be earned there would not have been a need for Christ; it is the person of Christ who alone fulfilled all God's requirements. Instead of earning righteousness, we may receive righteousness as a gift.

Jesus is the righteousness of God and God offers the righteousness of Jesus to us.

THE CATCH
God asks only that we believe. No one is successful at keeping all laws but we may have righteousness with God because of what Jesus did. Instead of doing works we believe and thereby receive his righteousness on our behalf.

© Adron 6/7/12