Believing

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Alana enjoying a Christmas outing. 



Scripture:


Rom. 10:1    Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.


Observation:


After commenting on the stumbling block for the Jews, Paul goes on to become an intercessor. He does not believe that the Jews are beyond the reach of God’s grace. The Jews are filled with zeal, just as Paul had been. Wesley makes an interesting comment, “They had zeal without knowledge; we have knowledge without zeal” (Wesley Notes). More on that later. 


Paul has recognized that the Jews fail to see the work of Christ as fulfilling the words of the law. Christ is the telos, or the goal of the law, not the law itself. The law should have led the Jews to the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. Paul wants everyone to be saved, but for this they must believe. 


Application:


We are in the season of advent, leading up to Christmas, and it is a very special time. We have five little grandchildren, and for them, this season is magical. The joy in their faces as they absorb the wonder of Christmas is worth taking them to see lights and trees, and Christmas concerts. Their incredible faith and belief in all that they are soaking in reminds us of how we are to embrace the Messiah who entered this world to save us.


Yes, we are still in need of being saved these days. There are many around us who do not believe in Jesus. Sadly, I’m afraid that we have become like the people that Wesley referenced. We have a lot of knowledge these days, but we certainly lack zeal. We seem to have become complacent and maybe so accepting that we no longer see Christ as the goal or the telos, for all of humanity. The reality is that if more would truly believe, I mean REALLY believe in Jesus as the Messiah, our world would be changed. This is not a conversion to Christianity, but a genuine transformational experience with the Messiah, believing that the Son of God came into the world to bring his hope and peace to us all. 


To live as a reflection of Christ in this world is to be a true believer. Just as Jesus had zeal for the lost, so we are to be light in the dark corners of our world, having a zeal and passion for those who are yet to believe. That brings us back to this season, one in which we are drawn toward the Christ-child. Do you believe? I mean, do you really believe? The best gift this Christmas isn’t wrapped under the tree, but the baby laying in a manger. It’s time to believe!


Prayer:


Lord, help my unbelief, and help me to live in light of your righteousness day after day, and year after year. Rekindle your zeal in my heart, and help me to intercede for those who are lost. Amen. 

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