zeal

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For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on 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 NASB]

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I think that zeal is often used to communicate a sense of passion or energy. When I think of it in my own life, I equate it with my younger years when I was passionate for many things. Words like theology, computers, cars, family and sports represented the things that I was zealous for.

This verse points us to a zeal that I can relate to. I often say that the person I disagree with the most is the man that I was when I was younger. I had so many strong opinions. I had a desire to be right about things that I did not really understand. Especially religious things.

It points us to the idea that one can be right but not righteous. Being right involves black and white thinking. Righteousness forces us into the gray. It causes us to embrace people who disagree with us. Words like humility, compassion and mercy draw us into the essence of righteousness.

Fast forward to 2018. I sometimes wonder if passion still has a role in my life. I think that it does. For sure, it does not look the the same as it once did. I find that my zeal is not so much about being right. More about doing right. More about loving people and caring less about things.

Rekindle a zeal in us Lord. For the people you love and the things that you are zealous for.

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... this devotion is part of the z2a bible words series.