Here we read that the Pharisees were always trying to do exactly and scrupulously what the laws say. But in today’s verse Jesus is calling us to greater righteousness than the Pharisees: “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.” My brother, my sister, you may wonder ‘how is this reasonably possible?’ The answer is found in the Word of God: the Pharisees’ weakness was that they contented themselves with obeying the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts or attitudes. Oh, yes… how many people in our churches are like them? They look so pious that you feel you will never reach their level of piety… but, like the Pharisees, they may still be far from the Kingdom of Heaven. My friend, God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, because it is within our heart that our real allegiance lies. Yes, our righteousness must come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves; it comes from our God-centered way of living, not our self-centered attitude; it has to be based on reverence for the Lord, not approval from people and it should go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law. My friend, be more concerned about your attitude that people don’t see than your actions that are seen by all. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]