Zeal Without Knowledge

For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
(Romans 10:3)

While Paul is speaking directly concerning the Jews, this applies to all of us who try to meet God on our own, as opposed to His terms.

We can never meet God on our terms. He is the sovereign Lord Creator of the Universe. We are rebels who are defeated and merely await the just execution to come.

But just as the anti-capital punishment crowd currently objects, the death of the guilty is never sufficient to pay for their crimes. The death of the guilty, the highest form of punishment that man can mete out, is unable to restore the damage caused to the victim. (Human justice merely attempts to constrain the future evil of others by demonstrating the consequences of unlawful actions.)

God's justice demands payment. The just payment for our rebellion is death. Not merely physical death, but spiritual (eternal) death. There are two ways to avoid the consequence of God's justice. One is to live perfectly by the Law of God. Only one person has done (or will ever do) this. The other means, and the only way open to us, is to accept the payment made by that person, and in exchange offer Him our lives as His slaves (we are so very dearly purchased!).

Not willing that any should die; God sent His Son to live among us as the lamb without blemish (one who lived a perfect, non-rebellious life (John 8:28)). Being perfectly subject, Jesus willingly chose to pay the price of all our rebellion in exchange for His rightful place at the right-hand of God as our King.

Now a thing even more glorious occurs! We who are rightfully slaves, purchased by the death of the Incarnate God; are made brothers and co-heirs of that perfect man and sons of the Living God!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36)