Can We Be Righteous?

Matthew 5:19-20 “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 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.”
 
OFTEN it seems people see the word “righteousness” with uncertainty and perhaps a bit of fear. Many of us could think of the accusation of being “self-righteous”. It’s often an accusation to one who has pointed to a sin in our lives. The world’s view is to see righteousness as a fault. “Don’t tell me I’m wrong!”
   If we are to be of God, though, in the world, here is a good way to understand “righteousness”. Moses said, “And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.” (Deuteronomy 6:25) Righteousness is simply this: living with a heart’s desire to obey God’s commands.
   Certainly, this is no surprise coming from the Living Word of God. The Sermon on the Mount could be called, “Jesus’ Heart Lessons”. Thus, Jesus continues to affirm that living in the law must be loving heart’s obedience to God. When he speaks of the least commandment,  he does not say one command is less important than another. But he teaches each command is essential. We cannot say, “I’m so good at keeping this command, I don’t have to obey that command I don’t like.” Each person, regardless of education or profession is responsible for his and her own response to the law.
   Jesus condemned the Pharisees and teachers in general. How strident is the Lord’s condemnation of their empty souls: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” (Matthew 23:25-26)
   The Pharisees were self-righteous. Their righteousness began with their own desires. Jesus placed their hearts on the “Righteous Scales” and found them light, empty of God. Jesus wants us to know that kingdom citizenship is to be righteous, striving to love God completely faithful to his commands inside and out.
 
Pause and Consider: Matthew 13:49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.