| Romans 10:1-4 "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 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 of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Another mistake the Jews made Paul mentioned here is that they were zealous for God, but their zeal was not based on knowledge. The knowledge referred to here stands for God's Words and the biblical truth. The Jews were zealous for God. But their zeal was not based on God's Words. What was it based on then? Firstly, it was based on tradition. Many rituals in the temple were passed down and followed from generation to generation without the understanding of their meanings. Just like in church, we would always pray with closed eyes and folded hands. But the Bible never teaches us to pray like that. In fact, the Bible asks us to lift up our hands and pray instead. But in order to help people quiet down and draw near to God, for over a thousand years traditionally the church has been teaching like this. Many people don't know why. They think they are supposed to pray like that. So when they see other people pray with their eyes open, they would deem it disrespectful. This is an example that the zeal for God is not based on knowledge. Secondly, it was based on common sense and common practice. Many common senses and common practices enter into our faith through culture. For example, many people regard prayer as casting lots by non-believers. They would think God is real if their prayers are always answered. But they have no idea at all that the Lord says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Prayer is by no means the same as casting lots in a Buddhist temple, for one is self-centered when he seeks blessing in a Buddhist temple, while others are God-centered when they pray. What matters is not whether every prayer is answered, but whether God's will is done. But for many believers with the background of other religions, they still try to pursue God with their original thoughts and practices, which means their zeal is not based on knowledge. What is worse, when the zeal that is not based on knowledge is applied to other people, it becomes their legalistic bondage that brings in judgments and accusations. Due to their zeal, they would try to put their own knowledge and experience above God's truth. This is why those religious wars broke out in the past. This is also why there are many disputes between denominations. This is another example that the zeal is not based on the knowledge. Brothers and sisters, are you willing to humble before God by laying down your thoughts, practices and tradition, and seek God's righteousness instead of your own? Pray with Pastor Tong Liu  Lord, forgive us for putting our own thoughts and tradition above your truth very often. May you help us humble ourselves. May your Spirit shine on us to set our spirits free. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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