Roman’s 10 :2 Paul says this, “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge”.
Roman’s 1:21 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened”.
John 17:3” This is eternal life that they may know You the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”.
Have you ever thought to yourself, I like this person, for whatever reason? So, you begin to pay attention to them and do some research regarding them. You might even end up knowing a lot about them. You know what they like and what they dislike. You know their political stance. You admire them and think “I like how they are and what they say”. You start to hang out in the same groups as they do. You may occasionally even speak to them. However, you never become friends with them. You, at best, are an acquaintance. The reason you do not become friends is that while you may know all about them, you do not know them on a personal level. To know them on a personal level means that you both spend time together. You interact in discussion with each other and you do things together. You have shared experiences with each other. So, you might have a zeal for this person and about them, their likes and dislikes and you might pattern your life after them, but you know of them however you do not know them. This is what Romans 10:2 is saying.
Roman’s 1:21 is saying that these people knew about God, but instead of honoring Him, they began to decide for themselves who God was. This is the core reason for the diversity of religions. They speculated on who God is and they turned to their own vain imaginations, thus their hearts became dark. Even in the Christian faith we see this. We have various doctrines which are doctrines of men not of God. These are built upon speculations and imagination. The result is much similar to the parishes. People, instead of knowing Christ, know doctrines and adhere to doctrines, thinking this means they know Christ.
Jesus sums it all up in John 17:3. Eternal life is very simple. To know the Father and to know the Son. If we know all about God and Jesus, we call this theology, it means nothing if we do not know God and Jesus. Do you know Jesus? Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you and teaching you about Jesus? Or, like many, you simply join a church and follow whatever they are teaching you. You have a zeal for the things of God, but you do not know God on a personal level. Are you a friend of Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord? Only you can answer these questions.
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