Paul later wrote to Timothy: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." We should remember that men are not only saved through Christ, but they are saved through the knowledge of Christ, communicated through the gospel. Romans 10:14 "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?"

It is impossible to read these verses and not see that many in the apostle's time and ours are deceived in this matter of salvation. One great deception is the lie that all that matters is that a person be sincere. Paul dealt a death blow to that lie. He did not question their sincerity but said that they were lost, religious but not saved. Paul spoke from experience when he said that they had a zeal of God but not according to knowledge.

SINCERITY IS NOT SALVATION
Prov. 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
It is impossible to read these verses and not see the recurring theme which runs through this letter: "the righteousness of God." This is one of the most important truths that you will ever consider.

Here are four truths about the righteousness of God mentioned in this letter of Romans.

1. It is revealed in the gospel. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:" (Rom.l:16-17).
2. It is received by faith. "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:" Rom.3:22).
3. It is that by which men are saved. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom.l0:l0).
4. It is provided by God. This is the reason that it is called "the righteousness of God."

This is "the righteousness of God" of which his country men were ignorant. They were not ignorant of the truth of God's holiness, of His essential righteousness. They were ignorant of "the righteousness of God" which He had provided, and thus they went about to establish their own righteousness by attempting to keep the law. Keeping the law is something none of Adam's race has ever done. Rom 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

It is impossible to read these verses and not see that Christ is "the righteousness of God." The apostle tells us that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." The word translated "end" in other places is translated finished. One example is John 17:4 "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished (ended, accomplished) the work which thou gavest me to do." This word signifies: accomplished, consummated and perfected.

Christ, by both His obedience to the law and His suffering the penalty of the law, procures for all who believe in Him this righteousness. It is called the "righteousness of God" for He is God in flesh who obeyed the law. Christ, by being made a curse for us, redeems us from the curse of the law. The curse of the law is death. The redeemed are said to be redeemed with the blood of God, for He is God in flesh who shed His blood.