Romans 10 - Man’s Way or God’s Way?
ROMANS 10:1-4 - MAN‘S WAY OR GOD’S WAY?
As I begin reading Romans 10, Paul’s brokenheartedness is evident (as in the previous chapter) for Jewish people that he cares about deeply. His comments are not generically about all Jewish people, but rather the ones who are continuing to trust in their own religiosity for their eternal well-being. They, as he puts it, “have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” This is such a sad state. They seem to want to be in a right relationship with the Lord. They use His name in their practices. They even claim to be directing others in His ways. However, all of these things are being done in actual ignorance, “without knowledge.” They think they know, but they do not.
This brings us to the options presented to them; continue in their own patterns and practices or surrender to God’s way … or as Paul says it, “subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Sadly, in their pride, they would not give up THEIR way, which is previously what led to the crucifixion and is breaking Paul’s heart as he sees so many continue disconnected from the grace that has been purchased, provided, and offered freely.
In our day, really not much has changed. We are not heart-broken over those following the Jewish rules and regulations so much, though some are certainly still caught in that. Today, we have a whole variety of paths for people to follow, deciding it is a better way, a more elevated way, a higher path than the one provided by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Sadly, just like these early Jews, so often their pride will not allow them to surrender to God’s true way, leaving them similarly disconnect from forgiveness, from righteousness, and from eternal life. May our hearts be broken like Paul’s for these dear ones.
I am confident that my own pride was (is) abundant enough to keep me from Him, but He helped me to see the truth and understand my need for Christ. Thank you, Lord, for your great grace!
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, Grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin
As I begin reading Romans 10, Paul’s brokenheartedness is evident (as in the previous chapter) for Jewish people that he cares about deeply. His comments are not generically about all Jewish people, but rather the ones who are continuing to trust in their own religiosity for their eternal well-being. They, as he puts it, “have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” This is such a sad state. They seem to want to be in a right relationship with the Lord. They use His name in their practices. They even claim to be directing others in His ways. However, all of these things are being done in actual ignorance, “without knowledge.” They think they know, but they do not.
This brings us to the options presented to them; continue in their own patterns and practices or surrender to God’s way … or as Paul says it, “subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Sadly, in their pride, they would not give up THEIR way, which is previously what led to the crucifixion and is breaking Paul’s heart as he sees so many continue disconnected from the grace that has been purchased, provided, and offered freely.
In our day, really not much has changed. We are not heart-broken over those following the Jewish rules and regulations so much, though some are certainly still caught in that. Today, we have a whole variety of paths for people to follow, deciding it is a better way, a more elevated way, a higher path than the one provided by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Sadly, just like these early Jews, so often their pride will not allow them to surrender to God’s true way, leaving them similarly disconnect from forgiveness, from righteousness, and from eternal life. May our hearts be broken like Paul’s for these dear ones.
I am confident that my own pride was (is) abundant enough to keep me from Him, but He helped me to see the truth and understand my need for Christ. Thank you, Lord, for your great grace!
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, Grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin
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My mind connected this short devotional with my Dad’s message about anger a while back and it presented a good challenge. Are we (am I) truly heartbroken when I see people trusting a false belief or am I simply angry at the culture around me. Am I looking at the sin or at the sinner?
Not only does my attitude change when I begin to focus on the person rather than their actions, but my attitude also shifts when I first look at my own life. Am I putting my way above God’s? Is there any part of my life that I am holding back from God? Am I surrendering everything?