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.
Jesus is the Issue
In Romans 10, the apostle Paul is speaking to people who were very religious, but had rejected Christ. Their problem was what they had done with Jesus Christ, not what they had done with good works or Paul’s person. The issue was Jesus. In Romans 10:3 Paul says, “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.” What were they rejecting? To what had they not submitted? It was not a what; it was a Who. The next verse says that the “Who” is Christ.
Verses 5 and 6 talk about the difference between the righteousness which is of the law and that which is of faith. The only righteousness that God is not duty-bound to reject as inferior is His own. The only way to have God’s righteousness on your account is to trust God’s Son as your Savior. When you talk to friends or counsel people, the problems may be complex, but the answer is not because the answer is simple and single. It is not a fact; it is a person. It is not a 5-step plan; it is the way, the truth, and the life of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
So, the issue is Jesus, not someone’s pet sins, church, or creed. The issue is what they have done with Jesus Christ. The reason that so many people have trouble with sin is because they have rejected Christ. In verse 21 Paul says, “But to Israel he saith, All day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” Against what did they rebel? It was not a what, it was a Who, God’s Son.
Jesus is the issue. It matters not who you are. The problems may be complex today, but the truth is simple. It may be hard. It may be difficult, and it may go against the grain of human reason, but the truth is simple because the truth is a Person. The way is a Person. God’s plan of salvation is in a Person. Remember, the issue is Jesus.