Gospel Righteousness

GOLDEN TEXT: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:20

MATTHEW 5:13-20, 43-48

TODAY’S lesson is based upon portions of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The title of the lesson, “Gospel Righteousness,” suggests that this wonderful sermon is a presentation of the Gospel. Actually, however, very little of the Gospel is set forth in this sermon. It is more in the nature of instruction to those who preach the Gospel, and an outline of the standard of righteousness to which they should aspire.

A very fundamental aspect of the Gospel is the fact of Jesus’ death as the Redeemer of the world, that his blood cleanses consecrated believers from all sin, but in his Sermon on the Mount Jesus does not mention his work of redemption. We suggest, therefore, that a better title for the lesson might be, “The Righteousness Required of Those Who Preach the Gospel.”

Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth,” and also, “Ye are the light of the world.” (vss. 13,14) He indicates that salt which has lost its savor is of no value, and that a light hidden under a “bushel” cannot be seen. A reasonable inference to be drawn from these illustrations is that if we do not adhere to the righteous principles set forth in what Jesus refers to as “these sayings of mine,” we would be ineffective as his witnesses in the world.—Matt. 7:24

It is only as “witnesses” that the Lord’s people are the “salt” of the earth and the “light” of the world in this age. However, if we prove faithful to our present privileges as “ambassadors” for Christ, we will have the grand privilege, in association with Jesus, of filling the earth with a knowledge of the glory of God during the millennial age. Even now, though, the light which shines out from the Lord’s true followers is the only light there is in the world, and their example of righteousness the only truly “savory salt.”

Jesus did not destroy, or set aside, the righteousness of the Law given to Israel by Moses. Instead he gave it a much higher and more exacting application. The scribes and Pharisees claimed to keep the exact letter of the Law—at least their interpretation of the Law—but Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed theirs, else we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus continues, “Ye have heard that it bath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.” (vs. 43) This is evidently a commandment taken from the Jewish Talmud, or other Jewish traditions. It is not one of the Ten Commandments. It comes far short of the righteousness inculcated by Jesus as a standard for his followers.

Jesus taught that we should love our enemies, not hate them. He said, “Bless them that curse you, do good unto them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” “If ye salute your brethren only,” Jesus added, “what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?”

Verse 48 of the lesson has been difficult for many to understand. It reads, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The question is raised, How can any member of the condemned and fallen race be perfect as God is perfect?

The Greek word here translated “perfect” means “complete.” Preceded by “therefore,” as it is in this text, we are thus referred to the preceding context to ascertain the manner in which we should be perfect, or “complete,” as our Heavenly Father is complete. In the context Jesus explains that if we do good to those who hate us we shall “be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the unjust.”—vss. 44,45

It seems obvious from this that being “perfect,” or “complete,” like our Heavenly Father, simply means to be all-comprehensive in the be stowing of our blessings, not to be partial in the sense of doing good to our friends and bringing injury upon our enemies. What a wonderful example of this we see in our Heavenly Father! The common blessings of life, as represented in the sunshine and the rain, are bestowed by him impartially upon all.

And we see an even greater exhibition of his perfect love in the gift of his dear Son to be the Redeemer and Savior of the world; “God so loved the world”—the sinful, fallen world of mankind—“that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) We read also that God “commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”—Rom. 5:8

We cannot always rise above our inherited weaknesses, and be morally perfect like God—although we should ever strive to do so—but in his love is filling our heart we will, like him, love our enemies. Indeed we should delight in every opportunity we have of bestowing blessings upon them. Thus we will be like God.

QUESTIONS

What is the righteousness of the Gospel?

When will the earth be filled with a true knowledge of God?

What is the righteousness of the Pharisees?

How can we be perfect even as our Heavenly Father is perfect?

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