The Right Righteousness

Matthew 5:20

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Observation

(from ESV study Bible) Jesus calls his disciples to a different kind and quality of righteousness than that of the scribes and pharisees. They took pride in outward conformity to many extrabiblical regulations but still had impure hearts. But kingdom righteousness works from the inside out because it first produces changed hearts and new motivations.

Application

Things like going to church every Sunday, serving in a ministry, and giving to the poor can make someone seem righteous, but true righteousness only comes from faith in Christ. There are 2 types of people: those who just have the outward, and those who have the inward which naturally produces the outward. I'm so thankful that by the grace of God I have a new heart that treasures and loves Jesus. My confidence of heaven comes from the genuine conversion I have experienced.

Romans 10:3

For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

Philippians 3:9

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.