https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKm8oZ1dX9s

BIBLE STUDY: HOW CAN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

*To show how important righteousness it, Christ gives a standard that is allowed in the Kingdom of heaven in Matthew 5:20 ‘For I say to you, unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven’.

*What is the nature of the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Until this question has been answered you will be unable to exceed their righteousness.

Who are the Pharisees?
They were members of the governing body of the jews in Palestine called the Sanhedrin, other include, Sadducees, Scribes, etc.

Positive characteristics of Pharisees

1. They were devoted to obedience and were respected by the common people for their apparent devotion to God.
2. They also believed the bodily resurrection, eternal life, and angels and demons.
3. They are deeply religious

Bad qualities

1. Their bad behaviours portrayed as if their own religious rules were as consequential as the rule of God for living (Matthew 23:25-28, Mark 7:6-9)
2. Their state of deep religiosity was often considered hypocritical and, hence, subjected others to living in conformity with standards they themselves could not attain.
3. Their understanding of salvation revolves around perfect obedience to the law and never capitalizes on forgiveness of sins.
4. The Pharisees were known for their obsession with obedience from their legal interpretation to the extent that God’s grace was completely ignored.
5. They were also more about having to appear to be good rather than obeying God.
6. The Pharisees were basically small landowners and traders not professional scribes.
7. The pharisees loved money.
8. They also loved the power they possessed as they exercised it over the people of Israel as recorded in Matthew 23.

The Scribes: Initially, scribes were students of the scriptures. However, by the 2nd century BC, scribes began studying and debating the interpretating of the law. They hold absolute spiritual supremacy over the people, hence they are the people’s mouthpiece as the multitude respectively gives way and listen eagerly to their descriptions as those of a recognized authority.
The Pharisees and scribes only succeeded in proselyting people to their religion rather than to God. Owing to the indepth understanding of how Christ explained some of the accusation posed by the Pharisees and scribes, you will agree that they lack a thorough understanding of the laws of God.

Outlined below are some of the teachings of Christ that can help you surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees and Scribes.

1. Murder – Matthew 5:21-26
2. Adultery – Matthew 5:27 – 30
3. Oaths – Matthew 5:30 – 37
4. Love your neighbours – Matthew 5:38 – 48
5. Giving – Matthew 6:1 – 4
6. Praying – Matthew 6:5 – 15
7. Fasting – Matthew 6:16 – 18

Conclusion

Now when you carefully examine Christ’s teaching on the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will realise that the standard of God in total obedience to his law has been set high. That is why Christ stated that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. A clearer picture shows that we cannot trust in our righteousness and that is why he came to die and resurrect for our sake.
2Corinthians 5:21 ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him’.
It is only in Christ that we can surpass the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees because the righteousness of Christ has been accredited to us and what will be received will surpass the holiest of the Pharisees.

The attribution of Christ righteousness to us does not mean we should not live righteously as Christ has taught. We must, but our dependence is not on it. And as we submit ourselves to the lordship of Christ, the Spirit helps to conform us to this image, which by so doing helps us surpass the Pharisee’s righteousness, because it is a gift we have received through Christ.

It's by obedience of the teachings of Jesus!

The Pharisees hated and rejected His teachings which could have saved them to their own peril.

Anyone who rejects the teachings of Jesus and doesn't obey them is not much different from a Pharisee.

God bless.

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jesusjnr2020:
It's by obedience of the teachings of Jesus!

The Pharisees hated and rejected His teachings which could have saved them to their own peril.

Anyone who rejects the teachings of Jesus and doesn't obey them is not much different from a Pharisee.

God bless.

This is well articulated to be a blessing. Thanks. However, the teachings exposes the truths in Christ teachings