If You Know That He Is Righteous, Then Everyone That Does Righteousness Is Born of Him - Part 722

"I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:20) In other words, Jesus was telling His disciples that it is not enough to say that we obey the ten commandments or perform good works in the community.Indeed, Jesus said, "except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." 

From this perspective, we already know that the Scribes and Pharisees adhered to the Law. In fact, often, the Scribes and Pharisees used the tenets of the Law to confound Jesus, albeit without success. As a consequence, overcoming the Law became a stumbling block to Jews -- preventing them from accepting salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

But for those of us who have accepted Jesus into our hearts, and willingly desire to do His will in our lives, the righteousness of Jesus means so much more. Titus wrote, "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared -- not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost -- which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7)

Other scriptural references repeatedly confirm the same gospel message. That is, there is nothing we can do to deserve salvation. "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:21) "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness -- by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:24)

Further, the God of all grace has called us unto His glory by Christ Jesus. (I Peter 5:10) "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the flesh shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16) "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one -- Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

Therefore, rejoice for we are fully justified by faith. In so doing, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) And as such we can be "found in Him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." (Philippians 3:9) "

Paul wrote, "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." (I Corinthians 1:30) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. As it is written, "The just shall live by faith." 
(Romans 1:17) 

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Stand in the offering plate.