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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Except Your Righteousness Shall Exceed . . ., continued
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. (Ephesians 4:16,17—NIV)
We now have been born again and each day should bring growth in Christ to us. Growth in Christ always works out in growth in righteous behavior. If it does not we are not abiding in Christ.
What else could the expression "grow in Christ" mean if not growth in godly behavior? If Christ increases in us will it not affect how we think, speak, and act?
That growth in Christ means growth in godly behavior can be seen in the following passage:
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13,14)
The mark of spiritual maturity is the skillful application of the "word of righteousness." The mature Christian, the one in whom Christ has been formed, is able to discern what is good and what is evil, and then is able to choose the good and reject the evil. This is what it means to grow in Christ.
The Lord Jesus advised us that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees we will not enter the Kingdom of God. We do not believe the Lord meant ascribed righteousness, or only a righteousness of the heart, or a mixture of righteous behavior and ascribed righteousness. We think, from the context, that the Lord Jesus was referring to actual righteousness of behavior both in heart and in action.
The Lord had just finished talking about keeping God's commandments.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)
Let us keep in mind that the new covenant does not do away with the righteous commandments of the Law of Moses. Rather, the Divine enablements given to us in the new covenant make it possible for us to obey the principles of righteousness embodied in the commandments of Moses (not all the ceremonial regulations).
The following kinds of behavior are what the Scriptures mean by righteousness. Perhaps most Jews and Christians (and possibly the followers of other religions) would agree with many of these actions and attitudes as being marks of genuine righteousness:
Receiving the salvation that God has provided on the cross of Calvary rather than avoiding the cross and trying to save ourselves by our own works of righteousness.
Trusting in God in all things, living by His strength and wisdom knowing He is a rewarder of those who seek Him each day.
Refusing to permit any relationship, thing, condition, or ambition to come before God, always being willing to surrender all to the Lord at a moment's notice; always praying "Thy will be done."
To be continued.