I recently had the pleasure of learning a little more of the treasure of God’s living Word from a verse (one of many) I’ve spent quite a few occasions considering but never comprehending…

Mathew 5:20 
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

A couple of points I find quite a challenge in regard to this verse are:

  1. Am I expressing self righteousness in disposition or judgement?
    To further examine this I need God’s Word the double-edged sword to pierce even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, to judge the thoughts and intentions of my heart.
  2. What of God’s instruction do I need to apply that were missing from the Pharisees actions?
  3. Am I endeavouring to please God through my own “righteousness” or in Christs?

The scribes and Pharisees had claimed to be the bearers of God’s law, they said “You are His (Jesus) disciple; we are disciples of Moses.” and this was true that they had the responsibility of carrying the law; In Matthew 23:1-7 Jesus says “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So practice and observe everything they tell you.

  • “But don’t do what they do, for they don’t practice what they preach.”
    • But Jesus leading by example did what He preached, by denying Himself and taking up His cross even to death.
  • “They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.”
    • Their rules were contrary to Jesus way which removes guilt and sadness by granting freedom “For my yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:30
      Romans 8:2 “through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death”.
      Galatians 5:1 “It’s for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.“
      John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.“
  • “All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.” (Deuteronomy 22:12 “You shall make yourself fringes upon the four quarters of your garment, wherewith you cover yourself.)
    • Jesus instruction on living, serving and giving is notably different: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, don’t announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they’ve received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand’s doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4
  • “They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they’re addressed.”
    • Social media and religious organisations provide opportunities to receive similar recognition of the flesh in each of us.
  • Verse 23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you’ve neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former.
    • This verse is where I found a significant portion of the answer to the focal verse Matthew 5:20. The application of Law without Love is contrary to God’s instruction to His people. They’d neglected the more important matters of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness! Zechariah 7:9 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ 11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. Having done this, they were no more value than I am if I do the same, just a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal…

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels,
but don’t have love,
I’m only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, 
but don’t have love, I’m nothing. 
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, 
but don’t have love, I gain nothing.

I pray that when we bow before our Heavenly Father, we won’t hear…
“You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former“,
but rather…
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful with a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things. Enter the joy of your master!“,
and our response…
“We’re unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.“

Revelation 1:17
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love. 
But the greatest of these is love.

John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

This “life” that Jesus spoke of, wasn’t known by the Pharisees, they didn’t want Jesus teaching, they had their own system of “righteousness” and believed they needed no healing from Christ. Matthew 9:11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. 

How does consideration of this matter relate to us today?

  • If God were to apply the law without love: No person would get to heaven.
  • When children are subjected to discipline and instruction without love, they can become aggressive, bitter, reclusive, or suffer inferiority complex, or express socially disruptive behaviour.
  • When a spouse is expected to “meet the mark” according to “my standard”, and according to the promise I remember they made at the alter; rather than me being focused on fulfilling my responsibilities as I promised, and showing grace and patient love with thankfulness, I’ll suffer the greatest loss and sow discord because of my own foolishness.
  • When employees are treated as servants, rather than as valued associates, they lose respect for their employer, the workplace & employer suffer, and it’s likely they’ll move to a better environment and opportunity.
  • In all the above, it’s sobering to remember that, I’m directly accountable to God who is master of all, and though He is patient, He isn’t ignorant of what’s going on in our lives.

When instruction or discipline is applied from the foundation of appreciating others as better than myself, and in recognition of their equal value before our creator, there’s opportunity for development of greater mutual appreciation, respect, productivity, growth, encouragement, contentment, learning, and maybe even fellowship.

May our Heavenly Father grant us to live according to His will, bearing fruit for His glory as we apply His instruction in humility, being prepared to give an account of the faith that is in us by our actions and words, first in our homes and then in every avenue that the responsibilities of our day take us to.

APO 13-Oct-2020