“For they (the Jews) being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:3)
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
Since no one can save himself by perfectly keeping the law, we must have a savior or there is no hope.
James was so right! Wow! I’m not kidding.... when he apparently says “...and yet offended in one point....”
We totally believe that with one fault, a person is judged completely wicked. The good news is he can repent fully in an instant. So we don’t agree with James on the rest of...probably everything.
Your first part from Romans, is right in line with what the Rabbi was teaching in the class...if you can’t convert them, smear them. We’re pretty content that we know what G-d wants of us (He for one wants me to go to bed...but I just can’t.)