Righteousness Required
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin M Overfield
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000
Righteousness Required
Matthew 5:19, 20: "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. 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." (See all of Matthew
chapter 5 for context.)
Someone might say, "But I thought we are saved by faith alone without
the works of the law!" That is true. It is Bible, and so is this. But, a
true principle found in one place in the Bible does not contradict nor
negate a true principle found elsewhere in the same Bible. The Bible is a
whole book. Taken as a whole it will give us God's perspective on the way
to Heaven.
Here, Jesus was not speaking of the method of salvation, but of the
strict requirements for entering the kingdom of heaven. Righteousness
without any unrighteousness is the requirement. He that breaks the least
commandment is not righteous enough. He that keeps all the commandments,
including the least of them and teaches others to do the same -- or holds
others to the same standard -- He it is that will make it into Heaven.
You see God is very particular, because God is holy and ANY sin, no
matter how "small", will not be tolerated in His children or in His eternal
kingdom.
Salvation is not a product of our righteous works. Nor is it a reward
for such works, because all our righteousness could not possibly atone for
the sins we have committed. But, the reality of salvation works in us so
that righteous works flow out of us.
In Ephesians 2:8-10 we find a solid explanation of how salvation WORKS:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them."
This righteousness that God requires is not something that we work up on
our own. It is rather something that He works in us, "for we are his
workmanship" or "product" of His working (from the original). For, though
we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ and His
atonement for our sins, this salvation enables us to live righteously.
II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Furthermore, this righteousness is not just an outward compliance to
God's law. It is the fulfillment of His law on the inside. (See the verses
following Matthew 5:20.) When one's heart is made right with God,
righteousness will proceed out of his heart. "A good man out of the good
treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of
the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." (Matthew 12:35).
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect."(Matthew 5:48)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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