KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:20 KJV” 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.”

We continue with our walk with Jesus through the gospels. The Lord continuous with His teaching on the mount. This time His focus was on the fact that those who would be children of God would have to exhibit a higher righteousness than that of the scribes and the Pharisees. What kind of righteousness did the Pharisees and the scribes manifest? The Pharisees were strict observers of the law. They were self righteous individuals. (Luke 18:11-12) The Pharisees also acted in such a way to attract public attention Mark 12:40.

Now what type of righteousness should the Christian manifest?

The Christian must manifest supernatural righteousness. This is a righteousness by faith. These people have a religious righteousness without knowing the God they were serving. We must serve God knowing the God we are serving.

These Pharisees served God without loving this God. We are to serve with love for Him. The Christian manifests a righteousness that proceeds from the God kind of righteousness which we have by faith in Jesus. Philippians 3:9 KJV” And 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:”

The Lord in His teaching explained the higher righteousness as the righteousness from the heart. He said if a man looks on a woman to lust in his heart, then he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This is the righteousness that demands that you do not smile facially with an individual whiles you hate him at heart. It is a relationship with all persons based on sincerity. The Lord made statements like, if one slaps you on one cheek, give the other to him to slap as well. This statement was not to be treated as literal, that is to literally give the other cheek when slapped, but the idea was not to be offensive at all, but rather to be a person of peace. This is a higher righteousness and since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are able to demonstrate a higher righteousness than that of the Pharisees.

CONFESSION

I am born of God. I manifest a higher righteousness than that of the Pharisees. I have a sincere heart towards God and always keep my heart pure from every impure thought. Thank you, Lord. for the Holy Spirit who enables me to live according to your word.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 5:28 KJV” But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”.

Matthew 5:22 KJV” But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”.