“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,” Matthew 5:20 (KJV).

How do we become righteous? It is imparted to us when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We become a part of His righteousness by faith in Him alone. It is not something we do or could earn that God would take notice of us, it is a gift by His grace, and just doing the right thing will not get you to heaven. It is by grace through faith, not of works lest anyone should boast and say, ‘I have done it myself.’

I like how Romans 10:2-4 puts it, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” God’s ways are not our ways, and we are a new creature in Christ. Now that we are saved by His grace through faith, we must live ‘from faith to faith.’

Philippians 3:7-9 says, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Beloved, God already loves you as His child, and nothing you could do could make Him love you more, you already are the righteousness of God. So stop striving for approval and enter into His rest, and enjoy this life He has given you today. We cannot have our minds on ourselves and on Jesus at the same time. He must be our all in all. You don’t really want that old life. Don’t miss out on anymore of His blessings. Just believe in His love for you. He loves you with an everlasting love.

~ Celeste Dewey

Celeste Dewey