For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:3 NKJV).
Most Christians, like the Jews of Paul’s day, are ignorant of GOD’s righteousness. They don’t understand God’s GIFT of righteousness (Rom 5:17).
When we don’t understand that all righteousness comes from God, purely by faith in Jesus Christ, then we end up “seeking to establish our own righteousness” and “do not submit to the righteousness of God”. It is extremely important to understand the Gospel revelation in Romans 1:17:
For in it [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
This is a revelation:
First, we must see what the Bible has to say about the true Gospel and God’s gift of righteousness. Most Christian teaching today is Christian-centered, not Christ-centered and performance-based (law), not grace-based. This results in the majority of Christians living lives of bondage to sin, unfruitfulness and unproductivity in the Kingdom of God. We must return to Christ-centered, grace-based Bible teaching. The book of Romans is full of this vital theme of God’s righteousness, by grace, through faith in Christ.
Second, we must SEE by the revealing work of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:17-23). Do not rely on your brain to get it (or anyone else’s brain, for that matter). Only God has the capability of fully revealing this truth to you.
Through the years, I’ve seen brothers and sisters in Christ SEE IT — the glorious Gospel truth of God’s GIFT of righteousness. Whenever that revelation hits, their lives are never, ever the same. They become dynamos for Christ. They are hungry for God, eager to learn. Many say it’s like “being born again, again!”.
Have you seen it — God’s gift of righteousness? If not, carefully read through the book of Romans. As you read, realize this isn’t about what “you do for God”, but about what GOD has done for you, not just in causing you to be born again, but also in giving ABUNDANT LIFE now. That “fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). It is the life “more abundant” (John 10:10).
Here is the Gospel in short (Romans 3:19-26)
[19] Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The Law is given by God to prove to sinners that they are wretched, desperately lost, hopelessly consumed by their sinful passions and enemies of God.
Now, here’s God’s part, the wonderful GOOD NEWS:
[21] But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,[22] even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,[24] being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,[25] whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,[26] to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
If you’re stil wondering about what all this means, hang around. That’s what this DailyInChrist.org ministry website is all about. We hope to connect you with resources, as well as other brothers and sisters who well understand this, so that you can truly ENJOY the New Covenant life that God intends for every child of God.