Zeal for God?
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” — Romans 10:1–4 NKJV
Many people have zeal for God. But what is the basis for their zeal? I pose this question because the affectionate and prayerful apostle Paul (author of the letter to the Romans) warns against zeal that lacks knowledge (epignosis). That is, a zeal that lacks the full, saving knowledge of the imputed righteousness of God in Christ. I get it.
I Need This
When we walked into the First Baptist Church of Alma, Arkansas, in 1999, I was a semi-illiterate, stuttering alcoholic who had failed college twice, had been in jail twice, and was on the verge of being divorced twice. Despite all of this, I considered myself a Christian!
After we sang a few hymns, the pastor began to preach. As I listened, I thought, I need this! But there was a struggle going on in my mind. Since I was already a Christian, why then would I need what he was offering?
Zeal for God
Nevertheless, a few days later, when my second marriage was almost over, I cried out, “Jesus, save me!” My life changed radically—no more drinking, smoking, or swearing. I was baptized, joined FBC, and dedicated myself to the Bible, prayer, fasting, worship, service, evangelism, and missions.
I later joined Jefferson Street Baptist in Eureka, Kansas, where I filled local pulpits. This led to pastoring Fellowship Baptist in Emporia and serving at the Emporia Rescue Mission, preaching three times a week.
In 2004, I married Jeana, joined Flint Hills Christian Church (now Flint Hills Bible Church), and became their evangelist, where I preached my first revival and engaged in door-to-door evangelism, jail ministry, and a mission trip to Romania.
By 2007, I launched a truck stop ministry in Paragould, Arkansas, led revivals, returned to Romania, and founded That They May Hear Ministries. I wrote booklets and poems. A friend said, “If Hayes isn’t saved, no one is!” But my zeal lacked knowledge (Romans 10:2).
Zeal That Lacks Knowledge
The Jews were zealous for God (Acts 22:3). So was Paul (22:3–5). But when Paul encountered the Righteous One (9:1–9; 22:14–15), he knew firsthand that the zeal of his countrymen lacked knowledge. The word “knowledge” is epignosis—full knowledge. The million-dollar question: epignosis of what? And the answer may surprise you: righteousness.
In Romans (the theological gateway to the rest of the Bible), righteousness is primarily an imputed gift, received by faith. But Israel was ignorant of this truth (Romans 10:3). So instead of submitting to the imputed righteousness of God in Christ by faith, not knowing that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, they sought it by works (10:3–4). Their zeal, therefore, lacked the full, saving knowledge (epignosis) of God’s righteousness.
My zeal lacked knowledge as well. In 1999, I believed that righteousness was merely an attribute of God. However, I didn’t know that I needed it for salvation. I thought I only needed forgiveness. But forgiveness is not synonymous with righteousness. Without the imputed righteousness of Christ, I was spiritually naked. I was also ignorant of God’s righteousness and therefore ignorant of the gospel (1:16–17).
Although I learned of my need for righteousness in 2004 (2 Timothy 3:7), I was well on my way to becoming the unknown poster child for “Lordship Salvation” (LS). [1] Still zealous but ignorant of the gospel, I continued to establish my righteousness by works (Romans 10:3). Sadly, I was no better than Israel or any other group or movement.
We Must Be Perfect
To enter the kingdom of heaven, our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). In other words, we must be perfect (Matthew 5:48). And the penalty for failing to meet this standard is eternal death (Matthew 25:46). Since no one is righteous (Romans 3:10), we need what we cannot produce—perfect righteousness!
The Perfect Righteousness of Christ
In the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4), Jesus came into the world as both fully God and fully man (Philippians 2:6–8). As the sinless Savior, He perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the law (Matthew 5:17–18). On the cross, He appeased the Father’s wrath and paid the penalty for the sins of the elect (Romans 3:21–26) before rising from the dead three days later to secure their justification (4:25). The Father, having accepted the work of His Righteous Son (1 John 2:1), forgives their sins the moment they believe and declares them righteous—imputing to their account the perfect righteousness of Christ.
In 2023, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes (John 3:3–8) to the full, saving knowledge (epignosis) of the gospel. As a result, I repented of those self-righteous dead works (Hebrews 6:1; 9:14) and submitted to the imputed righteousness of God in Christ by grace, love, and mercy through faith (Romans 10:3–4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9). Praise God! I then received baptism in the name of the Triune God.
How About You?
How about you? Do you have a zeal for God? Is it based on the imputed righteousness of God in Christ? I truly hope it is. If not, then you are relying on your own works. If this is the case, I pray that you will trust in the righteousness of Christ alone. Amen!
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[1] “Lordship Salvation” (LS) is the heretical, salvation-is-free-but-costly, work-based system that fatally mixes the free gift of salvation (e.g., Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9) with the costly works of discipleship (e.g., Matthew 10:34–39; Mark 8:34–38; Luke 14:25–33). It also emphasizes the evidence of fruit or works for assurance instead of Christ (Hebrews 12:2). To be clear, no one grows out of LS (Philippians 3:4–9). And believers don’t follow or listen to those who promote it (John 10:5). Therefore, those who associate with LS must be saved!