A Surpassing Righteousness

    As individuals and as a congregation, our aim is to “press on to maturity” in 2026. This involves a commitment to personal growth, spiritual development, and advancing beyond the foundation of our faith.  The shepherds have provided several resources and tools to help accomplish these goals set before us.  One such continual reminder is future bulletin articles written by our devoted deacons.

    The deacons will be writing this year on different phrases taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).  This sermon, which introduced His hearers to “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 4:23), is still well known in our day even by those who would not consider themselves to be religious. Whether it’s the Beatitudes, going the extra mile, the “Golden Rule” or “Judge not,” many think they understand the message by its individual parts.  But the point of the sermon, and the reason it was chosen as a launching pad for articles about pressing on to maturity, has to do with Jesus’ statement in 5:20: “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

    What is this surpassing righteousness that “exceeds” that of their religious elite?  Does it mean we have to pray and fast twice as much as they did?  Do we need to give ten times more money?  Are we involved in a competition to see who can be most righteous among us?  Actually, those are the very attitudes we are to avoid.

    True righteousness, which every kingdom citizen must grow and mature in, has a concern not only for what we do but why we do it.  It is motivated by a love for the Lord and for our fellow man.

    A surpassing righteousness is rooted in the law of the Lord.  Jesus did not come to do away with the commandments of God but to keep and fulfill even “the smallest letter or stroke” that was written (Matt. 5:17-18).  He was not some rebel or revolutionary who encouraged His followers to dismiss the Law and the Prophets.  How else could we know “the righteousness of God” (Rom. 1:17) without it being revealed to us in His will.  Instead of looking for loopholes and ways a “thus says the Lord” doesn’t apply to our situation, we should grow in our desire to please the Lord is all respects.

    A surpassing righteousness flows from the heart.  Is our Father’s will for us that we become simple Law keepers who check off boxes of obedience day after day, week after week?  He wants more! The scribes and Pharisees had reduced the seventh commandment to the physical act of adultery (Matt. 5:27-28).  Jesus called for a higher righteousness that guards against lust, which when carried out, results in sexual sin.  This does not downplay obedience; it demands obedience from the heart.

    A surpassing righteousness seeks to exalt God, not self. “Beware of practicing your righteousness to be seen noticed by men” (Matt. 6:1).  Jesus doesn’t tell them to stop praying, fasting, and giving; that would have violated the Law.  His solution was to keep doing those righteous deeds but for the purpose of glorifying their Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16).   Self-righteousness is broadcasted so that people will notice and praise you for how good and faithful you are.  True righteousness is carried out to please God, so that others will see how good and faithful He is.  

    A surpassing righteousness transforms us to become like God.  Isn’t that the nature of the “mature man” that we seek?  Aren’t we growing up in all respects to be more conformed to the image of our head, Jesus Christ?  Jesus concludes this section of the sermon by saying, “therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).  That’s not absolute, moral perfection; that’s spiritual wholeness and completion, a maturity worth pressing on toward!  God demonstrated His love for all men,  even His enemies.  Jesus prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross.  Let’s seek after this kind of righteousness that is modeled in His likeness and is for the good of all men.

    Over the coming weeks and months, be on the lookout for bulletin articles written by our deacons.  Commend and encourage them for their faithful service.  And give glory to God for such righteousness.

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