PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS

MATTHEW 5:13–20

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven

(Matthew 5:20).

Martin Luther used to say that every Christian is called to be Christ to his neighbor. Luther did not mean that Christians are to try to save one another as Christ has saved us. Rather, he meant that our lives are to be so conformed to the will of God that people can actually look at us and see the reflected holiness of Christ in our lives, just as the ancient Israelites saw the reflected glory of God in the face of Moses.

How often we misrepresent the character of Christ. We are called to show people what justice looks like, but we commit injustice. We are called to show merry, but we are unmerciful. We are called to show what fairness, consideration, and sensitivity look like, and yet we gossip and slander other people.

The term glory, when used for God, has to do with God’s inner being, His essential weightiness and presence. The glory of God refers to who God is, not what He does. The same is true of God’s holiness: The word refers to God’s being, not primarily to His actions. When the Bible refers to God’s actions, which show forth His essential holiness, the term usually used is righteousness.

Thus, since we Christians are called to reflect or show forth God’s glory and holiness, the only way we can do that is by our actions. God’s holiness is shown in His practice of righteousness, and similarly it is only in righteous behavior that we can show forth God’s glory and holiness.

For some reason, the word righteous is avoided by Christians today. We speak of being spiritual, but not of being righteous. Perhaps “righteous” sounds too much like “self-righteous” to us. Whatever the reason, the fact is that the Bible devotes a great deal more attention to the subject of righteousness than it does to spirituality. If we want to grow in the Spirit, we shall have to concern ourselves with righteousness.

The Pharisees, despite their many faults, did seek to obey God’s law. Jesus commended them for this, telling His disciples that they should do even better than the Pharisees. He also tells us that our most important concern should be to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

CORAM DEO

Luke 6–8

How do you distinguish between ungodly self-righteousness and godly righteousness? In your zeal to act righteously, safeguard yourself against hypocrisy. Strive to link your attitude and action. Pray for an attitude of humble obedience to God that will drive out any pride in your own attainments.

For further study: Isaiah 26:1–12 • 1 Tim. 6:6–16 • 1 Peter 3:10–18

friday

october