Christ,
The End Of The Law
The
Jewish Problem Observed
In a Brief Survey
of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans
Based on sermons
preached in PCC Worship Services, July 2003 to Sep 2005
Part 47b of 83
“1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel
is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they
have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being
ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth”
(Romans 10:1-4).
[In our previous instalment of
this study, we noted how the apostle Paul deeply desired the salvation his own
country-men despite their antagonism against him. In this second instalment we
must consider Paul’s observation of the reality that has befallen them. —JJL]
2. The Jewish Problem
in Paul’s Eyes
Paul was earnestly praying for the Israelites not only because
they are his kinsmen according to the flesh. Something in his knowledge about
them encourages him to pray for them with greater zeal (v. 2):
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal
of God, but not according to knowledge.
The Jews were a very zealous people. They
were religiously fervent. “They have a
zeal of God.” They had God as the goal of their zeal.
But their zeal was an ignorant zeal. Their
zeal of God was “not according to knowledge.” They had some knowledge (γνῶσις, gnōsis), but they lack correct knowledge and they
lack the appreciation of true knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις, epignōsis).
Paul ought to know. He was himself one of
them. In his speech before king Agrippa, Paul confessed:
“I verily thought with myself, that I ought
to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9).
Indeed, Paul was exceedingly mad against the
saints. He tried to destroy the Church of Christ. He persecuted the Christians
even unto strange cities, punished them in every synagogue, and compelled them
to blaspheme the name of Christ (Acts 26:9-11).
Most of the Jews might not have been as
zealous as Paul. But they were zealous nevertheless. They were zealously trying
to gain God’s approval with their lives. But
they were doing so in ignorance.
The other day, I was walking by an MRT
station and there was a basker performing with his 6 or 7 year old son. This
man who looked like a foreigner was zealously doing what he was doing. He was
screaming out some song and his son was hoping around according to the beat. He
was trying to entertain. Perhaps he thought that the louder he screamed and the
harder he strummed his guitar, the more the people would be pleased. Little did
he realise that he was making a nuisance of himself.
Such were the Jews. They were trying to
please God in ignorance.
They were like the prophets of Baal on Mt
Carmel who were leaping around in frenzy and cutting themselves hoping that
their god would take notice and hear their prayers.
They were like Martin Luther whipping himself
at 4 am in the morning hoping that he could eradicate sin from his body.
They had zeal without knowledge.
3
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness
of God.
God has made it clear that no one can attain
unto a righteousness that is acceptable to Him by his own good works. And not
only so, but God has provided His own righteousness as a gift for His children.
Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of God
took on human flesh; and as the God-Man, lived, suffered and died for His
people.
Those who are united to Christ by faith are
covered by the righteousness of God that is purchased by Christ for them. That
is God’s children are justified or accounted righteous by God on the basis of
the righteousness of Christ. Those who believe in Christ are assured of this
righteousness.
Now, we must pause for a moment before
proceeding again with the Jewish problem. Let us consider for a moment our own
zeal or lack of zeal.
The Jews had a zeal that is without
knowledge. What about us? There are many who are held captive in false religion
and many who are professing Christians who are religiously zealous, but without
true knowledge.
These will perish in their sin if they remain
unrepentant. What about you? Are you living in ignorance? You can be very
zealous for the Lord, but yet perish in your sin if your zeal is without
knowledge. If you know you are ignorant and many of us are, what are you doing
about your ignorance? Are you eagerly learning the Bible as eagerly as you
learn your text books in school?
This is the first question that you must ask
yourself as you compare yourself with the Jews.
But secondly, it is necessary also for you to
ask yourself: “Am I zealous for the LORD?”
·
How sad it is if you claim to have knowledge but is cool as cucumber
unto the LORD.
·
You ought to be on fire for the LORD, but are living as if Christ
deserve only 2 hours of your time every week. How sad!
·
You ought to be running for LORD, striving to win the crown of glory,
but you are as disinterested as a slug at low-tide. How sad!
Oh beloved brethren, I wish I have the
eloquence and power to stoke you into flames for the LORD. But the LORD says:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zec
4:6).
Oh will you not repent of your lethargy and
begin this day to consider what you ought to be doing for the LORD, and how you
ought to be living for Him, for all that He has done for you.
But let us consider now Paul’s evaluation of
the Jewish problem vis-à-vis their zeal
and their rejection by God…
…to be Continued, next issue
—JJ Lim