Trying Hard
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46; Romans 10
They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to the righteousness of God… - Romans 10:2-3
If you boil it all down, there are really only two religions in the world.
The first is the religion of works. It comes in many shapes—from Islam to Mormonism, from the devout moralist to the spiritual self-help guru. These systems may disagree on nearly everything else, but they share one core belief: the way to God (or whatever “ultimate” they’re aiming for) is earned through human effort.
That’s what Paul is talking about here. His fellow Israelites had zeal—a deep sincerity and passion for God—but sincerity doesn’t save. They were working hard to establish their own righteousness, and that road always ends the same way: short of God’s glory.
It doesn’t matter whether you try through strict moral rules, spiritual disciplines, personal principles, or elaborate religious rituals. The label may change, but the formula is the same: “I can make myself right with God.”
The second way—the only true way—is the way of the gospel. Genuine Christianity (not a denomination, but the message of Christ) begins with the opposite truth: we can’t establish our own righteousness. We’ve all sinned. We’ve all fallen short.
Only Jesus Christ lived perfectly. Only His death, burial, and resurrection can make a sinner righteous before God. And this righteousness is not earned—it’s received by faith.
Don’t try to build your own righteousness. You can’t.
Instead, receive the righteousness that God freely gives in Christ.
