Beyond The Law

If Jesus speaks of a righteousness that leads to the kingdom of heaven, a righteousness that is greater than those, who compared to the law, are the most righteous individuals around, we are in trouble. We obviously don’t base our salvation on our works, attempts to get to God through keeping the law, but isn’t Jesus saying the opposite here? In verses before, He speaks of how not even a dot from the law will become void until after the new Heaven and Earth come (Matthew 5:18). Paul says, “For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a), meaning when we sin against God, we owe him our lives in death.

This is the cost of breaking the law. If our shortcoming to the law shows our unrighteousness, how could our righteousness ever exceed the Pharisees? The righteousness that Jesus is speaking of here has only been accomplished by one singular man, Christ Himself. The standard of perfection for Heaven has never changed, but it became achievable through the righteousness that Christ bestows upon those who come to Him in faith and repentance. The righteousness that exceeds the scribes and the Pharisees is only to be found in Christ Himself.

Respond with any questions, prayer requests, or encouragement.

In Christ,

Josh Hernandez