RIGHTEOUSNESS ACCORDING TO JESUS

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.  (Matthew 5:19) NKJV

Our Lord Jesus does not destroy, but fulfils, as the summer fulfils the promise of spring. Don’t be afraid of Him, as though He takes pleasure in taking the cup from thirsty lips, and disappointing innocent and natural desires. He will certainly show Himself to be the enemy to every wrong means of gratification, but He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him in the best way, so that they will be satisfied forever.

This is true religion. Christ constructs. He is more positive than negative; more yea and amen than nay!  He sends the flow of the new sap into the trees, and as it passes to the tip of every branch, the old dead leaves flutter silently to the ground. Give yourself to Him, and ask Him to fulfill in you the principles of righteousness. Christ fulfils the law and the prophets, which evidently stand for the authority and principles of the Old Testament. "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. (Matthew 5:17, 18) NKJV

The jot was the smallest Hebrew letter; the tittle was a small part of a letter. What a contrast there is between the teaching of Christ and the attitude of some modem critics. They appear to take pleasure in destruction, in pulling down and overthrowing the foundations of faith, giving nothing in their place.

The righteousness which our Lord teaches is altogether different from that of the Pharisees, which was outward and formal, and essentially selfish, since by it they desired to earn admittance to God's favor. Christ, on the other hand, demands a righteousness which is inward, vital, and spiritual. We stand before God in the imputed righteousness of His finished work, and then He imparts to us an inner righteousness through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Notice how the Lord distinguishes between "those of old” and Himself:  "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.' 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.  (Matthew 5:21, 22) NKJV What majesty is in those words! He counted it not robbery to be equal with God, yet He was meek and lowly in heart. How can we reconcile these statements except by the belief that He is Emmanuel--God with us?

PRAYER                            

Heavenly Father and divine Creator, may I have truth as the girdle of my loins, righteousness as my breastplate, salvation as my helmet, peace for my feet, and faith for my shield. May I have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them by my consistent life and faithful words. In Jesus name I ask it, AMEN.

God’s Daily Promise

Promise #8:
I sent the Spirit of My Son into your heart so you could call Me Father.

Galatians 4:6 (WEB)
And because you are children,
God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
“Abba, Father!”Promise #8: I sent the Spirit of My Son into your heart so you could call Me Father.