Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 11 | Day 2
Prayer
Allow some silence for your soul to catch up with your body. Thank God for time to spend with Him and ask Him to meet with you.
Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-4
Read these verses three times slowly.
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.
Reflection & Questions
We are often impressed with the sincerity of people who are religious, whatever their religion. Their pious and disciplined ways, their willingness to sacrifice for their cause and oftentimes they show a kindness that is par none. However impressed we are, the truth is that sincerity doesn’t save.
As Paul continues in today’s verses to reflect on the people of Israel and their rejection of Jesus, he acknowledges that they are “zealous for God.” The Jews established every part of their life around their beliefs. From the moment they woke, to the laying down of their head, they had prayers, practices that governed how they lived. And they loved their way of life – they were passionately committed to it. However, “their zeal is not based on knowledge.” They “sought to establish their own” righteousness, rather than submit to God’s. Sincerity can hide a stubbornness, an unwillingness to surrender. Receiving Christ is the only way. He is the “culmination of the law” and righteousness “for everyone who believes.”
- Who do you know who is passionately committed to their religion? Where do you think this passion is rooted?
- Knowing the truth of Jesus, are you passionately committed to Him? Where are you holding back from giving Him your all?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-4
Read these verses three times slowly.
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.
Reflection & Questions
There are people in this world who think that they are going to get to heaven just by “being a nice person.” They are thoughtful of other people. They are kind to animals. They help old ladies cross the street. They obey all the rules and cross the street in the crosswalk. They recycle. Those are pretty great people, for sure!
But being a good person will not save someone. It doesn’t matter how passionate they are about being good or nice, they are still not perfectly righteous, which only comes from knowing God and being saved by Jesus Christ. Just like the “zealous Israelites” could not save themselves by trying to obey the law perfectly, we cannot be saved just by being a good person. But everyone can be saved, if they believe in Jesus as the Savior of our souls!
- Do you know someone who is a good person? Why isn’t “being good” enough to get you into heaven?
Pray
Pray for your friends or family members who believe they can get to heaven by being a good person. Ask God to open their eyes to the truth – that the only way they can be saved is through Jesus.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
