Everyday Ethics For The Exilic Minority: Revisiting Christian Identity Within A Confused World
Handling the Scriptures
Matthew 5:17-20
“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.”
In this current moment of Scriptural free-for-all, you have my attention, Jesus!
1. The Old Testament has not been abolished; it is carried forth by Jesus. (17)
“Everything that is in the law and the prophets culminates in Christ, and He is the fulfillment of them.” (M.L. Jones, p.187)
2. Everything declared in the OT will be accomplished. (18-19)
The smallest letter (yodh), the least stroke (serif), the least commandment are to be handled with the greatest care!
In the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, the entire ceremonial law was fulfilled (completed).
When the kingdom of God was taken from the nation Israel and given to the Church, the judicial law of the theocratic nation was brought to completion. (Matt. 21:43; 1 Pet. 2:9,10)
The moral law, however remains and is carried forth in the life of Christ, found in the Greatest Commandment (Matt. 22:37,39), and interpreted in the NT.
The grace of God that saves you also enables you to keep the moral law of Christ.
3. The Scriptures teach a righteousness that is the difference between heaven and hell! (20)
You cannot be saved by keeping the law. The law reveals how far from the mark you are.
A righteousness that surpasses the Separatists ~ the religious high-water mark of Judaism!
- Not self-made (1000’s of man-made rules and regulations)
- Not self-righteous (external and formal)
- Not self-satisfied (glory of self)
In your religion, are you relying on the right thing?
A righteousness that comes from God for His glory and our great good (Rom. 3:21,22)
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