The following kinds of behavior are what the Scriptures mean by righteousness.

Obeying God instantly, totally, and sternly in all He requests of us.

Delighting to do God's will and taking pleasure in righteousness and holiness.

Speaking words that will strengthen the hearers, shunning profanity and foolishness.

Being obedient to authority, turning away from all forms of lawlessness.

Pressing forward with God courageously in spite of the threatenings of the enemy.

Expressing love, peace, gentleness, and kindness in what we think, say, and do, avoiding anger and bitterness.

Keeping our commitments faithfully.

Speaking well of others, refusing to participate in gossip and slander.

Keeping ourselves morally pure, shunning adultery, fornication, and all forms of lust and perversion.

Dealing honestly, truthfully, and with absolute integrity with people.

Maintaining an attitude of humility toward God and other people.

Showing mercy when it is in our power to hold others in judgment or to exact revenge.

Being a peacemaker in the midst of strife and contention.

Maintaining a meek, teachable spirit.

Using self-control in working, playing, eating, studying—in all that we do.

Working hard that we may have the means to help those in need.

Maintaining a kindly, generous attitude.

Exercising absolute faithfulness in our family relationships.

Being quick to forgive, slow to anger, not holding grudges or bitterness.

Being a steady, dependable person whom people can trust.

Seeking the good of others rather than being personally ambitious.

Exercising patience rather than insisting on immediate gratification.

Giving place to others rather than insisting on having our own way.

When we think about the Lord Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter, James, and the others, we can see that they were men of actual righteousness of behavior, not untransformed believers who were counting on "grace" to make them acceptable to God. Such behaviors are the image of Christ. Satan hates them. They are the opposite of his image. He will do everything in his power to confuse Christian thinking so we do not properly associate righteous behavior with the Divine salvation in Christ. The truth is, righteous behavior is the primary fruit of true salvation. When the Lord Jesus says that except our righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees he is referring to the above behaviors. The verse means simply and directly that if we do not cultivate these behaviors, availing ourselves of the virtue of Christ given us through the Holy Spirit until we are behaving more righteously than did the scribes and Pharisees, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

To be continued.