Verses Misused and Abused – Continued
Having looked at Matthew 5:17, a verse misused very often, I wish to now look at another such verse in the fifth chapter of Matthew.
Matthew 5:20 – “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Here is a verse often misused by those who preach salvation by works. Here, it is plain that Christ teaches us that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Those who misuse this verse do it in the following way. First, they point out that the scribes and Pharisees were strict, and they are correct in that observation. Second, they assert that the scribes and Pharisees, though they were strict, were lost. This observation is also correct. Third, they then conclude that, if you and I are going to be saved, we must be stricter than were the scribes and Pharisees. Here is where the misuse lies! Allow me to show clearly the meaning of this verse.
The Scribes and Pharisees Were Strict
First, it is necessary to understand how strict the Pharisees and scribes were. It is doubtful that no one reading this post is as strict as they were. Matthew 23 shows clearly how strict they were. They prayed often (usually to be seen, but often nonetheless). They wore long garments. They tithed from their smallest possessions. They have so many regulations and rules that Christ said that they bind heavy burdens on men’s shoulders. They were so devoted to Old Testament scripture that they killed anyone whom they thought to speak contradictory to it. In terms of strictness, the scribes and Pharisees had it!
The Scribes and Pharisees were Lost
Second, it is essential to recognize that, though the scribes and Pharisees were strict, it is just as needful to see that the Pharisees were lost. It is doubtful that no one reading this post is as lost as they were. Perhaps the reader has trouble with me declaring the scribes and Pharisees to be lost. I never made such a judgment; Jesus Christ made that judgment!
Matthew 23:15 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
“Child of hell.” That was Christ’s own judgment concerning the scribes and Pharisees. And make no mistake about it – Christ’s judgment is true!
John 8:16 – “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.”
Since it is true that the scribes and Pharisees were as lost as they were strict, the reader would be wise to notice that “salvation” and “strictness” are not synonymous.
Righteousness Not Attained by Being Strict
Those who misuse our verse of discussion say that if we expect to have enough righteousness to go to heaven, we must be stricter than the scribes and Pharisees. I have actually heard it preached this way on multiple occasions. It is sad indeed that grown men standing behind a pulpit have no more knowledge of New Testament righteousness than that! The act of being strict does not, has never, and never will produce righteousness!
When Jesus Christ said that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, He was not calling us to be stricter than were; He was calling us to be more RIGHTEOUS than they were, which is a completely different calling. There is only way to be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, and that is to be MADE righteous (Romans 5:19) by placing your faith solely in Jesus Christ for salvation (Romans 3:22). When you believe on Jesus Christ for salvation, you are then clad in the righteousness of Christ Himself! Christ’s righteousness alone exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Becoming stricter will not do the job; it takes Christ and His righteousness!
*For more information regarding HOW to become righteous, go to Righteousness Forever - Part 1 and Righteousness Forever - Part 2
