When Zeal Isn’t Enough: Understanding True Righteousness

"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."
—Romans 10:1–3 (NKJV)

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking with deep concern for Israel. He acknowledges their passion for God—a fiery zeal—but points out that their zeal is misdirected. It is not grounded in the knowledge of God's true righteousness. Instead, they seek to establish their own standard of righteousness through works, rather than submitting to the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

This mindset still shows up today, even within the body of Christ. Sometimes, when people come to faith, their excitement and enthusiasm for God is real—but without proper grounding or discipleship, that zeal can lead to spiritual missteps. One example is when someone rushes into ministry or leadership without being properly trained, mentored, or spiritually matured. They may feel called but act prematurely, putting the cart before the horse. The result? Confusion—for themselves and for others.

We must be mindful not to confuse zeal with spiritual maturity. Our walk with Christ is not about striving to prove ourselves or earn His favor through works. That is seeking our own righteousness. Instead, we are called to submit to the righteousness of Christ.

So, what does that mean?

To submit to the righteousness of Christ means recognizing that our right standing with God is not earned. It is received—through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus on the Cross. His blood, not our efforts, makes us righteous. It’s not about how long we pray, how many scriptures we quote, or how much we give. Those things are good—but they don’t save us.

Only Christ saves.

Our role is to point others not to our own good works, but to the finished work of Jesus. Let us lead with humility, walk in grace, and always remember that true righteousness comes from surrender, not striving.

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Walking in Love, show the world Christ

“You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

We’ve all heard this saying, but what does it really mean? At first glance, it seems to simply encourage us to have a pleasant attitude. But for those of us who follow Christ, this wisdom carries deeper spiritual implications—especially when it comes to how we live and witness to others.

As believers, our lives are constantly being observed. Whether we realize it or not, people are watching how we respond to challenges, how we treat others, and how we carry ourselves in everyday situations. In a world searching for hope, the joy of the Lord radiating from within us can become one of our greatest testimonies.

People may not always understand Scripture or religious language, but they will understand love, grace, and kindness. When they see us overcoming trials with peace and strength, forgiving when it’s difficult, and walking in joy despite life’s ups and downs—that speaks louder than words. It piques curiosity. It stirs the heart. It makes people want to know the Source of that strength.

Being a witness for Jesus is more than opening a Bible and pointing to a verse. It’s about embodying the Word we profess. It’s about living in such a way that others can see the fruit of the Spirit in action—patience, gentleness, humility, and love.

So yes, you do catch more flies with honey. And as followers of Christ, let us strive to be sweet with our words, gracious in our actions, and intentional in our daily lives—so that those around us are not just told about Jesus, but are shown what He looks like through us.

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Waiting On the Lord, another dimension of Prayer

“I will climb my watchtower and wait to see what the Lord will tell me to say and what answer He will give to my complaint.”
—Habakkuk 2:1 (Good News Translation)

When we think about prayer, we often picture ourselves bringing petitions to God—pouring out our needs, concerns, and desires before Him. That is indeed a vital part of our relationship with the Lord. However, there’s another equally powerful but often overlooked dimension of prayer: waiting on the Lord.

Waiting on God is not simply something we do after we've spoken our requests—it's actually a sacred part of the prayer process itself. While many of us associate waiting with anticipating an answer, it goes far deeper than that. Waiting can be a moment of listening, of aligning ourselves with God's heart before we even speak.

This revelation became clear to me one evening during Bible Study. Before we prayed, we were encouraged to spend a few quiet moments simply sitting in the presence of God—waiting. We were invited to set aside our usual lists and, instead, ask the Lord what He wanted us to pray. That simple act of stillness opened my eyes.

It was life-changing.

For the first time, I realized how often I had approached God with my agenda, never considering what He might want to share with me. This experience helped me understand why some of my prayers may have felt unanswered. It wasn’t that God wasn’t listening—it was that I hadn’t taken the time to ask, “Lord, what’s on Your heart today?”

That shift in approach answered so many questions for me. I began to see prayer not just as talking to God but as having a conversation with Him—one where I needed to pause, listen, and sometimes even change direction based on what He revealed.

So, dear saints, I encourage you: the next time you pray, take a few moments to sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him, “What would You have me pray today?” Let His Spirit lead you into alignment with His will. You may be surprised by the clarity, peace, and power that flows from this deeper level of communion.

Thank you for reading. May your prayer life be refreshed, enriched, and renewed as you learn to wait on the Lord.

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