Question 338

By: Robert Serreyn

Question? Please explain Matthew 5:20?

(Matthew 5:20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Answer: The righteousness spoken of here in Matthew 5:20 is in reference to the PERFECTION (Absolute Righteousness) of God.

In Romans 3:23 the bible states…

(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The word GLORY means PERFECTION.

As stated in Romans 3:23 every person has FALLEN SHORT of God’s PERFECTION (Absolute Righteousness) that HE REQUIRES for anyone to enter heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The answer to Matthew 5:20 is this...

– For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed= Jesus was simply stating that UNLESS a person has HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (Absolute Perfection).

The Geek word for EXCEED is PERIGGEUO and it means BE MORE, OVER AND ABOVE and BE THE BETTER.

Question? how does OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS be more, over and above, and be the better?

Answer: by receiving and having Christ Righteousness (Absolute Perfection) placed on our account positionally upon the moment of belief by placing OUR TRUST ALONE in Christ as saviour.

– The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees= The Scribes and Pharisees were relying on their own human merits and religious works (self righteousness) to get them to heaven.

-Ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven= This warning is given to whoever is trusting and relying on in their own self righteousness (like the Scribes and Pharisees) rather than placing their trust in Christ and recieving his righteousness (Absolute Perfection) WILL NOT be allowed entrance into heaven.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH

rightdoctrinematters.com