Ignorance of the Righteousness of God

There are many things about life, science, history, and a host of other things where I can plead ignorance. Most of the time ignorance doesn’t kill me, but it might be a handicap. There are some things, however, where ignorance isn’t bliss. Paul points out one of these things in Romans chapter ten.

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Romans 10:1-10

What Faith Is

Faith is more than just “agreeing that something is true.” Many people believe that Jesus is a historical person, and they may even believe he was a “good teacher.” That includes people who aren’t even Christians. They just admire some of the wise things he said or the way he responded to opponents or even to his enemies.

Faith acknowledges that Jesus came to make it possible for me to know and possess the “righteousness of God” by faith. In other words, I don’t need to establish my own righteousness to satisfy God. In fact, those attempts will certainly end in failure because we all fall short.

Paul included himself in the ignorant crowd before he realized that Jesus was Lord. Here is what he said to Timothy:

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 1:12-14

 See the Resurrection

There are two things Paul saw that we must see. We must first see that Jesus is Lord. He is a good teacher, but he is so much more. Secondly, we must see that he rose again from the grave. He conquered death. No other “religious” leader can make that claim. The reality of his resurrection is undeniable unless we choose to be ignorant of that historical fact.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” – Paul

Don’t be blissfully ignorant. The end of that path is destruction. That is what the great Teacher Jesus said to those who would listen.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.