Word Count: 383

Contact Robert Hawes

Biblical Zeal or Religious Self-Righteousness?

by Robert Hawes  
3/06/2015 / Devotionals

"For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." - Romans 10:2-3


I would define "zeal" as "enthusiastic commitment, demonstrating follow-through." Zeal can be a good thing, and certainly no better than when employed in the service of God. Such zeal is always discernible because, as Paul states above, it is focused on the righteousness of God. Godly zeal is inseparable from godly character, which will always exemplify the fruits of the Spirit, including mercy and sound-mindedness.

Zeal untempered by the righteous character of God will ultimately turn a person into a human wrecking ball: arrogant, close-minded, controlling, overly sensitive, "high and mighty," and merciless - all self-righteous sound and fury. In the church, it is exemplified by those who are always finding something to condemn, always ready to run someone off, always dogmatic and insisting that their standard is THE standard, always putting people into groups and assigning them labels, always laboring to establish their own righteousness - and blind as bats to their own arrogance and cruelty.

Be zealous, yes, but always in conjunction with the work of the Spirit, always in such a way as you are drawing people to Christ rather than chasing them from Him, always conscious that, thanks to fallen human nature, we can easily go to harmful extremes even with the best of intentions driving us, always mindful that we are fellow servants of one another under one Lord: redeemed from the same fate, cleansed with the same blood, sealed by the same Spirit, destined to stand before the same judgment seat, accountable to the same commandments.

There is a very fine line between contending for truth and mounting a witch hunt. That line is knowing the righteousness of God as opposed to establishing our own. May we be ever mindful of the distinction.

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." - James 1:19-20


* Scriptures quoted in the above article were taken from the New American Standard Bible

Robert Hawes is the author of "In Search of God: A Look at Life's Most Essential Question," as well as many articles on various subjects ranging from politics to theology and Christian apologetics. His blog is: http://takeupyourcross73.blogspot.com.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Robert Hawes

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer