TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS IN GOD’S KINGDOM
Matthew 5:19,20

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, spoke much about the Kingdom of God both during His earthly ministry and after His resurrection (Matthew 5:20; 6:33; 7:21; Mark 1:14,15; 10:23-27; Luke 9:59-62; 13:23-30; John 3:3,5; Acts 1:1-3). In different passages, He used the terms "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" as synonymous. As the Son of God and as the King of the Kingdom, He carefully outlined and taught the kind of righteousness required of the citizens of the Kingdom.

Different kinds of righteousness exist and they are not all the same. There is self- righteousness - "our righteousnesses", "their own righteousness" (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 10:3). There is also "the righteousness of faith" (Romans 3:22; 4:11; 9:30-32; 10:8-10; Philippians 3:9). The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees is self-righteousness, righteousness by self-effort, external righteousness which is void of right or godly motives. It falls far short of true righteousness, coming forth out of cleansed hearts and pure motives.

Christ, living in us and through us, gives us the grace and the power to live righteously in this present world. This righteousness received by grace through faith is true righteousness.