Righteousness

by Terry Wane Benton

In Jesus' great sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus spoke of the necessary principles of those who would be part of His kingdom. He said that if our standard of "righteousness" did not exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, we could by "no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). So, He proceeded to give examples of their lower standard versus the standard He expects of those who want to be under His rule and citizens of His kingdom. It is a high standard of righteousness. We must be committed to Jesus and His standard.

Of the word "righteousness," Vine's says it means "right-wise-ness." That is, God's people must be wise to do right, wise to be right with God, and wise to know and employ the principles of right living.

We live in a world and country that lacks wisdom regarding right principles and right living. Why? Because those principles come from a holy God who must be acknowledged and respected. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). That respect for God is the foundation of knowing and appreciating right versus wrong. Even religious leaders are often telling people that God "accepts you as you are." Some tell the congregation that the only requirement is "faith only" (empty of any change of behavior and moral principle). But that is a righteousness below even that of the scribes and Pharisees. Unless we adopt the principles of Jesus and His righteous standard, we are exhibiting no faith in Jesus at all. We cannot be salt or light unless our lives stand out in this dark world.