A Commentary on Romans 10:3
Romans 10:3- "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."
Here's a reality about Romans 10:3 especially that the context of Paul talking to the Romans about Israel and their unbelief. Actually the situation is not only limited to Israel but also to much of the whole world as well. If one would diligently study the Old Testament, much of Israel was caught in unbelief aside from backsliding. Israel in its history had much of its people rejecting the worship of the one true God in favor of gods that are made of gold and silver, wood or perhaps even paper... gods that are bought in the marketplace. During the time of Jesus, Israel was under the Kaballistic or occultic religion of Judaism, enslaved by the Talmud. According to Cutting Edge ministries, the Pharisees were actually an ancient secret society of the occult. The star of Israel is not the true symbol of Israel as most ignorant Christians think. The Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah and has to this very day, much of Israel still rejects Him and it's a sad thought for any Jewish Christian who's reading this entry (this blog has reached Israel... thank God). The Book of Acts' persecution and stoning to death of Stephen in Acts 8-9 was just one evidence, Peter's risky job as the pastor of Jerusalem was another because the Jews were anxious to kill him and Paul who converted from Judaism to Christianity became the next target.
So back to the whole world- today people are too proud to admit the fact that salvation is all about getting mercy one did not deserve or merit and not about justice. Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear about it that God's salvation is not of works, it is a gift and not a reward. The succeeding verse talks about the result of salvation, not by any means to keep salvation or to earn it. As said, good works after salvation is God's work and faith always results to good works (Hebrews 11, James 2). The heresy of salvation by works appeals to the proud and ironically to the lazy. They ignore the need for God's righteousness through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. They think they can please God with their righteousness when considering Isaiah 64:6, if God's justice and not mercy were to be the basis of salvation, NOBODY would enter Heaven.
Now to talk about being ignorant of the righteousness of God. How is it being manifested? Since these people do not really know God's righteousness, it can be seen through their works. Maybe these people give to charity, maybe these people help the old lady cross the street and whatsoever but it's not because they love God, it's all about personal merit. Plus some of the greatest non-Christian philanthropists behind the scenes are actually drug dealers, womanizers, killers, drug addicts, drunkards, extortioners, abusers of themselves, idolaters, fornicators, adulterers in their lifestyle... which by their own lifestyles show they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). They don't have 1 Corinthians 6:11 because they do not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God. Teaching a legalistic salvation has only done more good than worse. So much for accusing salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ to be a license to sinful living- those who reject God's only means of salvation are usually living as if they have a license to sin!
Now to talk about being ignorant of the righteousness of God. How is it being manifested? Since these people do not really know God's righteousness, it can be seen through their works. Maybe these people give to charity, maybe these people help the old lady cross the street and whatsoever but it's not because they love God, it's all about personal merit. Plus some of the greatest non-Christian philanthropists behind the scenes are actually drug dealers, womanizers, killers, drug addicts, drunkards, extortioners, abusers of themselves, idolaters, fornicators, adulterers in their lifestyle... which by their own lifestyles show they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). They don't have 1 Corinthians 6:11 because they do not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God. Teaching a legalistic salvation has only done more good than worse. So much for accusing salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ to be a license to sinful living- those who reject God's only means of salvation are usually living as if they have a license to sin!