The Righteous, the Lifters

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

First, righteousness is the quality of being right in the eyes of God, including character, attitude, actions, and of course our words.

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’s day was self-serving and prideful. Although they were steadfast in obeying the laws of God, they did not have a heart for people.

They wanted to be honored and praised for their dedication, but they did not want to strengthen and serve. Their righteousness was self-righteous. Strangely, they were representations of God but they were not at all pleasing to God.

How are we representing God? Is our walk pleasing to God? Does it show the world who God is and what He means to us?

Our righteousness is not something for display, but we do show the praises of God when we are different from the world. Our speech, our actions, and reactions are different from the world.

We are helpful, kind, loving. We walk with integrity in all areas of our lives whether people are watching or not.

We testify of God’s goodness we seek and save the lost. We uplift the hurting, the sick and those who have been crushed by life. We are lifters!

Prayer:
Lord, set our lives in order to give you praise with our lives. I pray our righteousness far exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. We want to represent You, bring glory and honor to You! We want to be lifters in this life. In Your righteous name Lord, AMEN!