For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 (NKJV)
The Pharisees were the Jewish religious order of Jesus’ day; people looked to them for answers and understanding of God’s will. They had become so proud and arrogant and puffed up with traditions and laws that they had drifted away from God; so much so that when the God they claimed they served came down as man, many of them completely missed Him.
The Pharisees became notorious for their “holier than thou” attitudes. They enjoyed being praised by men and showing their “righteousness” to the world. They became so blinded by legalism and self-gratification that they did not realize they truly lacked a relationship with God at all. Although they looked the part of holy ministers of God, their righteousness remained “filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6).
Jesus warned that better be sure that we have a living relationship with God; it is only by His righteousness that we are saved. It takes more than church attendance and a strict adhering to Biblical laws and principles to get to heaven. It must be more than a “going through the motions” religion; it must be a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
