February 23, 2024 -- Matthew 5:17-20 -- The righteousness God demands Jesus supplies. Find out how.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes 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 does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-20 ESV

Who can do this? Who has righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees? I used to find this one of the most discouraging verses ever! However, as I was traveling this week, I was listening to Sinclair Ferguson’s teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. He gave such helpful insight into this passage. At verse 19 you see the problem which Jesus pinpoints. The scribes and Pharisees relax the laws of God. They teach people to swear oaths in such a way that they can wiggle out of the oath. They teach people if they dedicate money to the service of God, such persons do not need to support their parents in their old age. Pharisees taught you can love your neighbour and hate your enemy. As you read through such things you realize, okay, they are actually working ways around the righteousness required of believers.

To be honest, that still leaves believers with a problem. Who among us is righteous? No one. No one keeps the promises he makes to his wife. No one is honest, even to himself, in his innermost heart he lies to himself, to others, even to God. We are left with a problem which Jesus has clearly shown us. Now look at the first sentence of today’s reading. Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. Everything that was required He has done. And His righteousness is credited to all those who believe in Him alone for their salvation.

The result of believing in Jesus is transformation. Sinful patterns and behaviors are exposed as ugly. Such sinful behavior and patterns are confessed. As often as needed. Remember it is Jesus Himself Who taught us: if your brother asks for forgiveness 70x 7 times in a day, forgive him (!). What mercy there is with Jesus our Savior! Therefore, the more one knows Jesus, the more he finds it gradually becomes harder to willfully sin against Jesus. The Spirit of God transforms the heart of the believer so that he desires to learn more about God the Father and live in loving obedience to Him. Jesus becomes the Captain of Salvation and Chief desire of his heart. Let’s be honest, the sinful heart tugs against the mind which has been renewed by the Truth of God. It is an endless battle, which will only end at death. Then the new life of Christ will fully and perfectly reign in the life of the believer and Jesus’ joy and peace and love by the Spirit’s work more fully fill one through-out eternity. It is exciting. It is awesome. It is blessedness beyond compare.

Are you stumbling? Ask a brother to pray with you. Are you cold to the things of God, ask the Spirit of God to reignite the fires of passion for God the Father. So often the things of faith are like “better health program”. We all know what we need to do. We put it off. But the moment we make a small effort at it the benefits are immediately recognized. Even the smallest actions towards better health increase the desire and motivation for more. This is a physical example of what can happen spiritually.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in your words and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:1-10 ESV

https://youtu.be/px-eU1QjQiU?si=mUUhjA_F_2_zeaum “Psalm 51” Shane and Shane

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