April 27

True Righteousness

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. — Matt 5:20 BSB

Rather than abolishing the law, Jesus gave it new meaning. As He explained it, the law went much deeper into people’s lives than the religious leaders of His time understood. They taught that strict external obedience was all that was required, but Jesus said that without more than that, no one could enter the kingdom of God. Instead of lowering the standards of the law, He raised them and gave them new significance. He said that the righteousness of His followers must be far greater than that of the average religious people of His day. These religious leaders had a sound creed and carefully observed countless rules about ceremonies, dress, and behavior, but their lives were full of pride, selfishness, and hypocrisy.

Jesus said that unless His disciples had a righteousness far better than that, they would never enter God’s family. The only righteousness Christ accepts is one that begins in the heart and produces obedience and holiness in all areas of life.

We should take this truth seriously. Joining a church doesn’t make someone a Christian. Keeping all the ordinances and rules of the church doesn’t make someone righteous. There must be faith, love, obedience, and submission. Christ demands a high standard of morality from His followers. We aren’t saved by Christ’s righteousness in such a way that we need no righteousness of our own. Instead of external obedience, God’s law is written on the hearts of true believers, and they obey it from within. Our obedience should be so deep and sincere that our lives reflect the light of Christ in everything we do.