THE SURPASING RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jesus said in Matthew 5:20 - "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Earlier in Scripture Isaiah 64:6 states, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
Of course it is true, none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes. We then have to find perfect rightness or righteousness outside of ourselves. Jesus said to the people of that day (and His words speak down through the years to today) that you must find that perfect, surpassing righteousness even beyond the Jewish religious hierarchy. Only then will you be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Well, if nobody is perfect and the best religious leaders can't supply what we need to be right with God and grant us entry into the kingdom of heaven than who can?
Only someone who lived a perfect life, was tempted in every way that life could possibly offer but did not yield, taught a better way of living, and sacrificed them-self - could qualify as a candidate for that higher, surpassing standard of righteousness we needed. Only God in human form could accomplish this goal. He did. His name is Jesus. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." - Hebrews 4:15
All other religions of the world declare a path YOU have to take in order for YOU to attain through works of your own somehow a way back to oneness with God because our relationship with God is broken, we are all fallen or imperfect beings. All other world religions are YOU-CENTERED.
Christianity is Christ centered. Jesus centered. He is the one who provided everything. Jesus supplied a better way of living, provided Himself as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" and a standard of righteousness that punched the believers ticket for heaven. He is God the Father's love gift to humanity.
With a gift comes the choice of acceptance or rejection. If you have not accepted Jesus as your ultimate standard, as your surpassing righteousness, as your God - then I urge you strongly to consider Him and His love for you.
This, for that lack of a better term, "creationism" - going through life believing you can create events and relationships as you see fit is a lie and illusion from the pit of Hell. Jesus says, "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20)
There's a better choice, if you have not chosen Christ as your Savior. There really is somebody much better than you and so much better than me that there is NO comparison. Yet, Jesus did not stop being God the Son, He just loved us so much He clothed Himself with humanity and showed it. Believe in His life, death, and resurrection and you will be saved from an eternity without Him. Believe in something greater than yourself, believe in Him as your surpassing righteousness and one of the many benefits is citizenship in heaven. Hope to see you there.
Earlier in Scripture Isaiah 64:6 states, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
Of course it is true, none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes. We then have to find perfect rightness or righteousness outside of ourselves. Jesus said to the people of that day (and His words speak down through the years to today) that you must find that perfect, surpassing righteousness even beyond the Jewish religious hierarchy. Only then will you be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Well, if nobody is perfect and the best religious leaders can't supply what we need to be right with God and grant us entry into the kingdom of heaven than who can?
Only someone who lived a perfect life, was tempted in every way that life could possibly offer but did not yield, taught a better way of living, and sacrificed them-self - could qualify as a candidate for that higher, surpassing standard of righteousness we needed. Only God in human form could accomplish this goal. He did. His name is Jesus. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." - Hebrews 4:15
All other religions of the world declare a path YOU have to take in order for YOU to attain through works of your own somehow a way back to oneness with God because our relationship with God is broken, we are all fallen or imperfect beings. All other world religions are YOU-CENTERED.
Christianity is Christ centered. Jesus centered. He is the one who provided everything. Jesus supplied a better way of living, provided Himself as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" and a standard of righteousness that punched the believers ticket for heaven. He is God the Father's love gift to humanity.
With a gift comes the choice of acceptance or rejection. If you have not accepted Jesus as your ultimate standard, as your surpassing righteousness, as your God - then I urge you strongly to consider Him and His love for you.
This, for that lack of a better term, "creationism" - going through life believing you can create events and relationships as you see fit is a lie and illusion from the pit of Hell. Jesus says, "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20)
There's a better choice, if you have not chosen Christ as your Savior. There really is somebody much better than you and so much better than me that there is NO comparison. Yet, Jesus did not stop being God the Son, He just loved us so much He clothed Himself with humanity and showed it. Believe in His life, death, and resurrection and you will be saved from an eternity without Him. Believe in something greater than yourself, believe in Him as your surpassing righteousness and one of the many benefits is citizenship in heaven. Hope to see you there.
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