The above verse is a great description of my life as a Baptist until I was twenty six years old. As Paul, I can bear record that many Baptists are much like I was, zealous of God, but ignorant of the true way of salvation. Zeal is a great quality and one to be admired. However, it alone is not an evident sign that one is saved. There were many in the days of Paul and the disciples that looked to be saved, but in truth were not. The reason they could have been mistaken as being saved was because of their zeal for the scriptures. They memorized it, taught it, meditated over it, and even fought over what they thought to be the truth in it. They also had a zeal for worship, devotions, giving, soul-winning, and prayer. But, their motive for doing these things was to establish there own righteousness. They were trying to prepare to meet God by building a life of righteousness that would allow them to stand in his presence. Righteousness should be the desire of all men. To be right with God is all that is going to matter in the end. However, the way of righteousness or the way to stand right before God is that which most men are ignorant of. Paul said that he did not want to be found in his own righteousness, but in that of Jesus Christ, that which comes by faith. We as men will never be able to do enough works to be able to stand righteous in God's presence and live. Thus we need a savior who is able to deliver us from the righteousness of the law. God wants zeal, but according to knowledge. Zeal that is fueled by a pure love for the savior, not fueled by just a fear of judgement. The song Amazing Grace says, "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved." Fear is the beginning of wisdom and through fear men depart from iniquity. The law is good in that it brings us to Christ. Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness. Oh happy day! It is good to serve him now because I am saved not so that I can be saved or so that I can look saved to myself or others. A pure heart what a blessed thing.