How Do We Get Righteousness?

N.T. #46 "How Do We Get Righteousness?"

April 11, 202

Matthew5-Part 16

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. (verse 20)

LET IT GLOW

First, let's consider what the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees looked like in contrast to a believer in Jesus:

• They were strict religionists; more concerned with external righteousness, looking religious.
• They gave God a formal worship instead of giving God a confession of unworthiness and their need for Him in a personal way.
• They gave God good works; instead of giving God their heart.
• They gave God a clean and moral body; instead of giving God a confession of needing help spiritually.
• They gave God only a part of their lives; instead of giving God a total abandonment of of themselves.
• They felt like they must do good to be acceptable to God; instead of trusting in God's love.
• Mostly, they would not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior.

[Resource: The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible]

Do we need a heart search today after reading those? Is our life like those Pharisees? Are we just going through the motions of being a Christian?

See Romans 3:10, 23; 20-22; 4:5; Titus 3:4-5. 

LET IT GROW

In order for us to have righteousness, it must:

1. come from what God does in us, not what we can do ourselves;
2. be God-centered, not self-centered;
3. be based on reverence for God, not approval from people;
4. go beyond keeping the law to living by principles beyond the law.

We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don't see as about our actions that are seen by all.

What makes us righteous? It is accepting the salvation gift Jesus offers us because He loves us, not that we have earned it. Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus. It is His righteousness through the shedding of His blood on the cross that washes away our sins.

In Romans 4, it says Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. (Gen. 15:6)

David spoke of the blessing of God-How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered! How joyful is the man the Lord will never charge with sin! (Ps. 32:1)

Let us rejoice if we have this forgiveness.

LET IT GO

Praise to Jesus for providing what we cannot-righteousness.

Thank You that heaven awaits us believers in Jesus.