Romans 10:1-4

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

All around us, religion thrives. As the apostle Paul was directed to write by the Spirit of God, it is not for lack of zeal, nor effort and activity. And yet, Paul clearly states that no matter how zealous in their religious devotions, yet the LORD gave him a burden to pray that they might be saved. He is not praying contrary to God’s Word, that they might be saved even if God has not purposed to show them mercy. That could never be. And yet, God gave him a burden for them, perhaps if for nothing more, that he, the apostle Paul should know the depth of God’s mercy and grace toward him, even though, for the most part God had judicially blinded the rest.. So, what is at the foundation of ignorance of God’s righteousness that the Spirit of God directed the apostle Paul to write?

1. Why ignorance of God’s righteousness is deadly. The answer is simply that without the satisfaction of God’s law and justice (righteousness), there shall no flesh be justified (acquitted) before God [Galatians 2:16]. Ignorance of God’s righteousness is the greatest evidence of man’s depravity. The word ‘ignorance’ here is not merely lack of information, or unawareness, because God has created all men with a conscientiousness of judgment and accountability. Romans 1:32- “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” The ignorance of men is a willful rejection of and rebellion against God and how HE has determined to save sinners. Its roots go all the way back to Adam and Eve attempting to cover their nakedness with fig leaves, and Cain willfully approaching God with the works of his hands, rather than through the blood sacrifice that God required. This willful rebellion is described by the statement: they ‘have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.’ They have not submitted themselves because they WILL NOT submit themselves, and therefore CANNOT submit. [Romans 8:7- ‘Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.’] 2. How is ignorance of God’s righteousness so deadly? It is deadly and has eternal consequences because ‘going about to establish their own righteousness,’ will only lead to condemnation because God’s holiness and law demand perfect satisfaction. James 2:10- “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” 3. What is the answer to the deadly ignorance of God’s righteousness? Christ as the fulfillment of the law, by His perfect obedience in His life, and by His sacrificial death

2. How is ignorance of God’s righteousness so deadly? It is deadly and has eternal consequences because ‘going about to establish their own righteousness,’ will only lead to condemnation because God’s holiness and law demand perfect satisfaction. James 2:10- “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”