Why did Paul's generation of Law observant Israelites fail to accept Jesus as the Messiah? One of the primary explanations, coming from Paul who knew this personally before his own Damascus Road conversion experience, was the presence of prideful self-righteous zeal. Too many of the people sought to please God with their own efforts, rather than by faith trust in God's mercy and forgiveness. The Law of Moses could never be the path to righteousness, it only showed God's people where they fell short of his holiness.
How did Jesus fix this apparent dead end? By totally, completely, and forever fulfilling the Law. The sinless life and guiltless death of Jesus Christ is the end of the Law because the moment Jesus breathed his life he had fulfilled it fully, thus bringing to a close the Law's time as the guardian of His people. The Spirit would soon come at Pentecost to confirm this transition.
Righteousness has been been achieved by human effort or desire, it has always been, and always will be a gift of grace given through faith.
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