Matthew 5:17-20, contains what is most often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has spoken the Beatitudes, now he is offering comments on righteousness. He says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
How can anyone disagree with Jesus? And yet these words must be reconciled with the affirmations made by Paul and the whole Church that “we are justified by grace, not by works, lest anyone should boast.”
Righteousness, righteous living, is living according to God’s Word. It means following God’s law. To be righteous is to walk in the way of our Lord. Our righteousness is rooted in Christ’s death and resurrection; this does not mean that I cease to examine my steps and evaluate whether I am living according to God’s Word. Our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees because it is rooted first and foremost in my dependence upon Jesus. It in Christ that I trust, not in myself. Our righteousness exceeds that of the aforementioned persons because it has this giant head start.
Realizing our position, we strive even more diligently to hold on to what has been given us. We are righteous, in order to show our appreciation for what Christ has done.
The righteousness of Christ’s followers should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. How can it not? We have been set ahead and we have the greatest of all possible motivations to remain faithful and true.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment