RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT EXCEEDS
Colossians 2:9: “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
Jesus Christ is our righteousness and His righteousness works in us. Jesus said in Matthew 5:20: ”For 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.”
The teaching of Jesus relating to righteousness and the law makes it very clear that man is hopelessly lost and in desperate need of a righteousness that is not self-generated. We have no righteousness of our own. 1 Corinthians 1:30 states: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”
The scribes and Pharisees were all about keeping the law. They prided themselves in their strict adherence to the law, even though they had all broken it one time or another. However, Jesus explains that even the letter of the law did not fully convey the depravity of sin. In the Sermon on the Mount He explained that those who thought they were righteous according to the letter of the law, e.g. the scribes and Pharisees, were hopelessly lost. Although they had not committed murder physically, they revealed the spirit of murder through anger and evil accusations against their fellowman. On the basis of this teaching we are all murderers as far as the righteousness that EXCEEDS is concerned.
The Pharisees and scribes were very strict about committing adultery, but Jesus explained to them that the sin of adultery is much deeper than the act. Jesus stated in Matthew 5:28: “But I say unto you, That whosever looketh on a woman to lust after he hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Therefore they were also guilty of adultery and needed a righteousness which EXCEEDED what they had.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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