True Righteousness

Is it OK with God to obey His commands? Sure, but what if in your heart, you really don't want to obey but you feel like you must? Is it possible to obey enough of God's commands to make up for the bad things one has done in order to earn God's favor? Often we try to appease God with palty offerings of our time, money, or love. Falling short of what we know God really wants, we live as though it is OK to be good in outward appearance even when, inside, we are filled with anger, lust, hate, and other human sins.

Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:17-37

Main Thought: In God's kingdom, righteousness is measured both inside and out. In Christ, we should pursue righteous actions -- not to earn God's love nor to justify ourselves before God nor to gain entrance to heaven -- because righteous actions are consistent with our standing as members of His kingdom.

1. True rightouesness requires more than conformance to a command (Matt. 5:17-20).
2. Righteousness is found in reconciliation not broken relations (Matt. 5:21-26).
3. Righteousness requires pure actions and pure thoughts (Matt. 5:27-30).
4. Righteousness in marriage requires lifetime commitment (Matt. 5:31-32).
5. Rightousness requires you to keep your word (Matt. 5:33-37).
6. Righteousness abhors revenge but demands patience and giving (Matt. 5:38-42).
7. Righteousness always returns love for hate (Matt. 5:43-48).

1. True rightouesness requires more than conformance to a command.

17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20, NKJV)

Since we live in the "Age of Grace," does the Law still apply? Jesus said the Law of God stands for all time. He makes several key points regarding the commands of God:

To break the Law is not as bad as teaching others to break the Law.

To practice the Law is not as good as teaching others to practice them.

Obedience to the God's Law is important. But what kind of righteous acts does God require me to do? Righteousness in God's eyes requires more than external obedience to the Law. Matt. 5:20 says our righteousness must be GREATER than the Pharisees or Teachers of the Law. They majored on outward obedience to every "jot and tittle" of the Law. Yet, inside their hearts were full of pride, envy, bitterness, and spite.

There once was a rich young man who approached Jesus about eternal life. He bragged that he had obeyed all the laws since his youth. Jesus, through His pointed challenge, revealed the young man lacked devotion to God and, thus, was far from God. God's law is measured on the INSIDE as well as the OUTSIDE (Matthew 19:16-22).

In the next section there are specific situations to show the true righteousness that God desires in a person's life.

2. Righteousness is found in reconciliation not broken relations.

21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,' and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you are thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26, NKJV)

When was the last time you were so angry with someone you wanted to punch them in the nose? Jesus declares that this kind of anger brings judgement as does as murder (but not the same judgment). Anger with one another divides us and, unresolved, gets progressively worse. The end of this unresolved anger is murder. This is why our LORD is so concerned that we resolve our differences rather than let anything get in the way. For instance:

What should you do if you are in chuch and there remember that you have offended someone recently? It is even more important to attempt to reconcile with one you have offended than to give an offering to God!

What if your next door neighbor sues you because your dog bit him even though your neighbor was the one who untied the dog? Better to settle the matter privately with your neighbor rather than go through court and potential jail/punishment.

Relationships with other people are of paramount importance to the LORD. What we harbor within our hearts must be love and kindness toward them rather than anger, jealousy, or spite. The righteousness of God demands this kind of honor for others inside and out.

3. Righteousness requires pure actions and pure thoughts.

27 You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. (Matt. 5:27-30, NKJV)

Adultery is a serious offense to your spouse, your family, and your God. Lust is also a serious offense to your spouse, your family, and your God. How does it compare with true love?

1 Cor. 13:5 says love does not demand its own way, but lust does.

Lust demeans your image or valuation of your spouse.

Lust for another divides your interests and breaks the "one flesh" goal of marriage.

Lust raises unrealistic expectations for your spouse.

Lust is a form of adultery – adultery of the heart – which can quickly become adultery of the flesh.

Lust/adultery endangers your family health and stability.

Lust reveals a lack of trust in God's provision for your life. Unrestrained lust will keep you out of God's kingdom (1 John 3:6,9).

How does Jesus' teaching on lust square with the "look but don't touch" rule? It doesn't.

How does Jesus' teaching on lust square with pornography or even R-rated movies containing sex/nudity? It doesn't.

How does Jesus' teaching on lust square with opposite sex friendships, other than your spouse? It doesn't

This is why He says it is better to cut out that which feeds your lust than risk the fires of Hell. If in one's heart there are hidden secrets or hidden desires, God judges that as unrighteousness.

4. Righteousness in marriage requires lifetime commitment.

31 Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32, NKJV)

Jesus points out that the majority of divorces in this country result in adulterous relationships. A person who divorces for "irreconcilable differences" and remarries commits adultery. This is a serious charge -- but check out the One who set the rule.

What about the "certificate of divorce?" The Law provided for a divorce certificate to PROTECT THE WIFE not to encourage divorce. In Malachi 2:13-16, God clearly made us "one flesh" in marriage in order to produce godly offspring. Divorce is often used simply as a social cover for lust and adultery.

Here's a trick question: How many wives has Johnny Carson had?…ONE! At least, in God's eyes.

God granted an exception for divorce in the case of an unrepentant adulterer. Why? It creates a serious health risk to the family. Why else? Possibly because it shows that the spouse never was a true believer since he persists in known, serious sin (1 John 3:6,9).

What should you do if the adulterous spouse repents? Seek reconciliation…but go slowly. A trust that is broken in this manner takes much longer to repair than it does to break. It is also critical to undergo counseling so as to determine the root cause of the affair. If the real issues are not surfaced and resolved, it may simply happen again. God always desires reconciliation -- but reconciliation demands truth between two individuals.

5. Rightousness requires you to keep your word.

33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matt 5:33-37, NKJV)

Jesus tells us not to swear or continue to add assurances to what we say we will do. Let your word be your bond and your assurance found in your promise kept.

Question: Should we swear in a court of Law on the Bible that has this teaching in it? Not if you want to true to your King, the LORD Jesus Christ.

6. Righteousness abhors revenge but demands patience and giving.

38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. (Matt. 5:38-42, NKJV)

The "Eye for Eye" prescription in the Law was intended to enumerate just compensation for wrongs but also to limit revenge and retaliation. Consider:

There was an Irishman who got into a bit of tiff with his buddy. His buddy smacked him in the jaw, sending the Irishman to the floor. He dusted himself off and stood up to his buddy turning the other cheek. His buddy smacked him again sending him to the floor. This time, the Irishman got up and beat the stew out of his buddy. An observer asked, "Why'd you do that?" "Because," said the burly man, "the Lord said to turn the other cheek. But He never said what to do after that."

Righteousness in God's kingdom means you don't have to demand your rights. A slap on the cheek as Jesus describes was considered to be the most insulting gesture imaginable. Rather than retaliate, turn the other cheek.

Righteousness does not just mean "giving in" but rather "giving to" your enemy. Wrong is wrong and the righteous man or woman will certainly entrust a just judgment to God who WILL make things right in the end. It demonstrates the grace of God toward all of us. Your goodness will usually embarrass your enemy – "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (Prov. 25:21-22 NIV).

What if an evil cause asks you to give money – such as the Jehovah's Witnesses at your doorstep? You should not participate in evil in this way. It would be better to give them your time, your love, and your witness than your money.

7. Righteousness always returns love for hate.

43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matt. 5:43-48, NKJV)

Righteousness turns the tables on a wicked person by being good to them. Consider this:

A man was bitten by rabid dog. The doctor said it had a rare form of incurable rabies – so you have only an hour to live. The doctor left the room and returned shortly to find the man furiously making a list. "Well I'm glad you are taking this so well. Trying to put your affairs in order?" "No!" the man snapped, "I'm making out a list of people to bite!"

Don't be like that – Jesus said you have four swords to slay your enemies: love them, pray for them, bless them, and do good to them (Luke 6:27-28 NIV). Some people were put in your path specifically to teach you how to love. My person is in the Accounts Payable department. OK, I'll be nice at this point -- she has an extraordinary appreciation for the finer points of the Finance policy manual. Your path to Christian maturity will be lined with mean, stubborn, rude, demanding, lying, cheating, stealing, no-good wicked people that you have loved. Some of them, you will have loved right into the Kingdom of God.

Reflect on YOUR life: The King has the exclusive right to define and measure what is right and wrong in His kingdom. Our King Jesus looks for purity in thought, word, and deed – if you are perfect in this, then welcome to God's kingdom. If not, then you have realized that God's kingdom has an unattainable standard of righteousness for a fallen human being – perfection. At this point, if you have not already done so, I suggest you plead guilty and throw yourself on the mercy of the court for I know that our God is merciful and has graciously provided for your complete forgiveness and eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The King has even provided the perfect provision for our righteousness – Himself. Jesus fulfilled the Law so that He could become our righteousness (Rom. 3:22,4:5; 1 Cor. 1:30).

In Christ, the Spirit of God who lives in us desires the righteous actions Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount.

In Christ, we are commanded NOT to live according to the demands of the flesh (our fallen nature) but according to the desires of the Spirit of God living in us.

As we follow the Lord Jesus, we pursue these righteous actions – not to earn God's love for we already enjoy this – because it is consistent with who we are in Christ. This is the fruit it bears: It reveals the Lord Jesus Christ to a hurting, frustrated world. It reaches out to unbelievers in a truly unbelievable way. It is pleasing to your soul to live consistent with God's desires. And it teaches both us and the world the wisdom of God's righteousness.

Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.