Posted on 04/11/2025 4:46:54 AM PDT by metmom
“‘For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 5:20).
Many people today—and sadly, more and more within the church—have redefined biblical concepts to fit their own human perspectives. Like the scribes and Pharisees, religionists know they can’t match God’s righteousness, so they simply change the definition of holiness. A prime example from Old Testament times is how the Jews reinterpreted God’s command, “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44). They turned this from a call for inner holiness into a requirement to perform certain rituals.
The godly person will never rely on self-centered, redefined righteousness. Instead, he will focus on the kind of holiness Jesus taught. He will be broken about sin and mourn over the evil propensity of his heart. Such people long only for the righteousness God can give through His Spirit. They will never rely on their own strength or wisdom for what they can do spiritually.
God has always been focused on inner righteousness. When Samuel was ready to anoint David’s oldest brother, Eliab, to succeed King Saul, God told him, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). And that inner righteousness must be perfect: “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). To be truly qualified for entrance into Christ’s kingdom we must be as holy as God Himself.
Ask Yourself
Being broken over sin is certainly a crucial part of dealing with its incessant appeal and presence in our lives. But be sure you’re not choosing to remain in perpetual inactivity and introspection. How well is your grieving over sin being translated into renewed obedience?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Amen! Get on with your walk, forgetting those things that are behind and pressing forward towards the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
A great reminder in light of my present trials.
Thanks.
Overall, a good word.
But with one small error - which I know McArthur knows - and should not have made: He says, “they can’t match God’s righteousness, so they simply change the definition of holiness”.
It is a common error among Christians to equate righteousness and holiness. They are two different things, not equal. And our God is both.
Righteousness is the character of “rightness”. God is “right” in all that He does because of His character.
Holiness means “separate” - completely other - unique, unlike anything else, and separated from everything else.
Are they related? Of course. But they are not the same thing.
Study for yourself the Greek and Hebrew words for both meanings.
Good point.
Thanks for the observation.
Seeking to see how God is speaking to us is a process that takes time 5o cu,tivate- usually through his word, but through others at times too. Learning to be sensitive to those times when God speaks is learned. Try to remind ourselves each day to co sciously seek out how God is speaking to us, to show us where he is at work, (i onow i have not sought to see where he is at work- just never thought to ask him before) and if there is something he wishes for us to do in said situations. (Sometimes he just wants us to be silent and know that he is God- that can be tough). He will either ask us to get i volved where he is working, or ask us just to be still, and perhaps pray
I think one of the basic foundations of the Christian life is learning g to ask God to reveal where he is at work in regards to our own specific lives, adn becoming more sensitive to r3cognizing it. Everyday life seems to come along and obscure that in my life at least, and i become desensitized to it as a result.
We see through a glass darkly.
Great prayer requests. I think everyone could use more sensitivity to God’s voice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.