Christ Is The End For Righteousness

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for their salvation. For I can testify that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not in line with the truth. For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.” Romans 10:1-4 NET

Deep down, Paul identified as a Jew and maintained a profound concern for his fellow Israelites, reflecting his deep-rooted connection to his heritage and faith. This intrinsic identity was the foundation from which God worked with Paul, shaping his mission and message. It was significant because Paul recognized that God had chosen the Jewish people as the first priests—set apart to convey His story and teachings to the rest of humanity.

Paul believed it was essential to follow God’s choice to its logical conclusion, understanding that God’s ultimate desire was to have a people to claim as His own, a family. Throughout Israel’s history, this calling has presented challenges; the Jewish community has often faced difficulties in fully embracing and fulfilling its intended role. They struggled to live in ways that honored their covenant with God—ways that were devout, faithful, and reflective of His character. Paul’s insights highlight both the weight of this responsibility and the grace extended by God, as he sought to encourage his people to step into their divine purpose and share God’s story with the world.

The Jewish people, steeped in their sacred scriptures and rich traditions, held a profound expectation of the Messiah—a divinely appointed leader who would herald a transformative era of peace and restoration. They envisioned a time when justice would reign and harmony would flourish, extending not just to the land of Israel but to every nation and people across the globe. Their hope was rooted in prophetic texts, which painted vivid pictures of a compassionate savior who would mend the brokenhearted and bring about a new world order grounded in divine love.

Yet, when Jesus Christ walked among them, many found themselves reluctant to embrace Him as the long-awaited Messiah. This hesitance was primarily influenced by a pervasive sense of elitism that had taken hold within certain factions of the Jewish community, fostering an insular mentality that desired to reserve God’s blessings exclusively for themselves. This mindset starkly contrasts with the essence of God’s promise: an invitation meant for all of humanity, designed to extend His love and mercy beyond Israel’s borders.

God’s ultimate vision was clear: He yearned for His message—a profound proclamation of love, grace, and redemption—to resonate throughout every corner of the earth, inviting individuals from all backgrounds to discover a relationship with Him. The Creator of the universe, who intricately designed every strand of existence, seeks to draw people into a personal connection that transforms lives. mportantly, this invitation is not based on human merit or adherence to the law, but rather through faith alone—defined as a sincere believing loyalty to Him. In this way, God envisioned a diverse family united by faith, reflecting His love for all creation.

Paul emphasizes that the Jewish understanding of righteousness diverges significantly from the truth revealed by God. Over time, they have strayed by believing that their own sense of righteousness, rooted in adherence to the Law and traditions, is sufficient for their standing before God. This belief has led to a neglect or outright ignoring of God’s righteousness, which is centered on faith and grace.

This issue often becomes particularly evident when a spiritual awakening or movement of God is passed down through generations. As these transformative experiences enter the third or fourth generation of believers, what once was a dynamic relationship with God can devolve into mere rituals or pragmatic responses. These practices often lack the deep relational aspects that the first recipients of God’s message experienced—elements such as genuine connection, heartfelt worship, and transformative encounters.

When this shift occurs, the word of God becomes humanized, distorted, and stripped of its original divine power. It risks becoming a checklist of moral achievements, where individuals attempt to earn favor through their actions rather than trusting in divine grace. This transformation prioritizes human merit over the essence of faith, undermining the belief that God can do far more than what we could ever ask for or even imagine. Ultimately, this transition from a relational faith to a transactional mindset saps the rich spiritual vitality that God’s message was meant to convey, leaving only a hollow echo of what it once was.

What makes humanism particularly insidious is its subtle yet profound challenge to the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. At the heart of Christianity lies the transformative truth that Jesus fulfilled the law once and for all for everyone, marking a watershed moment in spiritual history. His sacrificial death on the cross not only nullified the demands of the law but also ushered in a revolutionary new covenant that redefines our relationship with God.

In this new reality, we are no longer burdened by the weight of strict legalism; instead, we are invited to live in the abundant grace of God. This grace is not merely a theological concept, but a living, breathing force that offers us strength, forgiveness, and an exhilarating freedom to embrace our spiritual journey. It calls us into a divine rest—a sacred space of complete surrender where we can place our trust in God’s limitless ability to work through us in every facet of our lives. This encompasses not only our spiritual endeavors but also the intricacies of our daily experiences, from the way we nurture our relationships to how we pursue our professional desires.

The Apostle Paul captures this profound assurance with the powerful declaration: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This statement emphasizes the boundless potential that lies within us when we partner with Christ. Through His strength, we can transcend our limitations and accomplish far more than we ever imagined possible. He empowers us to become the individuals we were always meant to be: cherished sons and daughters of God, fully equipped to mirror His love, grace, and purpose in the world.

How does this incredible transformation take place? I am reminded of a powerful chorus I used to sing in Bible school, which resonates deeply with the essence of our faith:

“I’m standing in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, 

Born of His blood, 

Clean in His sight. 

There is nothing I can do to make things right;  

Jesus did it all for me.”

This chorus beautifully encapsulates the profound truth of placing our trust in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He has accomplished everything necessary for our salvation—offering us forgiveness and reconciliation through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Our complete confidence rests in His boundless grace and love, rather than our own efforts.

It is through His divine strength that we are shaped and formed into His likeness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to grow and mature in faith. Our role is not to strive frantically to earn approval or to become a better person, but to rest in the assurance of His goodness and mercy. By surrendering to Him, we embrace the journey of spiritual growth, allowing Him to guide us into becoming who we are truly meant to be.

Stephen Barnett