Romans 10:2-4

For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The Jews know the law. They also know the consequences that God has stated against everyone who disobeys it. You cannot say that the Jews are ignorant of God, but you can say along with God’s word that they are “ignorant of God’s righteousness.”

Many Jews today are still very zealous for God and His Law, but they continue to seek “to establish their own righteousness.” To be fair, this problem now extends well beyond just the Jewish people. There are many people in churches today who also seek “to establish their own righteousness” as well. There are also many Jewish people who are not religious at all any more. Paul was talking about religious people here.

The Law sets up a method by which a person can establish their own righteousness, but the Law also defined sacrifices for those who fail. The Jews continually needed sacrifices but they didn’t understand that these animal sacrifices were only a symbol. They were a temporary thing that didn’t actually take sin away. Only the Messiah would be able to take their sin away by His sacrifice.(See Hebrews 10:1-10)

Jesus is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness in at least two ways. First, the Law is satisfied by our death in Jesus. We are no longer to be punished because The Law no longer requires it. Jesus fulfilled it. Second, Jesus fulfills the requirements of The Law in us now. If we trust in Him, He helps us to do good in a supernatural way. We must believe in Jesus for this to be true for us. Only then can a person actually do what is right.