HOLINESS OF CHARACTER

 

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

 

HOLINESS OF CHARACTER

 

Matt 5:20

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.

 

          This was revolutionary thinking! Most Jews in that day felt that the officials of their religious system were the gold standard of right thinking and doing. Those who aspired to be accepted by Jehovah looked to the Pharisees as examples. So, when Jesus cast doubt upon this thinking, it was truly troublesome.

 

          The listeners surely thought that they must then try even harder to be good, wholesome, and pure. Greater effort must be applied, they thought, and so think most scholars who read what Jesus said. However, I think Jesus was referring to the absolute impossibility of pleasing God with human effort. For proof of this, I suggest you read Matthew 19:16-22.

 

Phil 3:7-9

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 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:

 

Lord, my self-manufactured goodness is not only worthless but despicable. They are ashes and rags. Thank you for the gift of a worthy righteousness that is by faith alone. AMEN