Authentic Righteousness: The Heart of Christian Life
Summary
In our journey of faith, one of the most pressing questions we often face is, "What is the most important thing that God wants from me in the Christian life?" This question is akin to a businessman's quest for the bottom line. As we delve into the Scriptures, it becomes evident that the chief goal of the Christian life is righteousness. This is not a term we hear often, as many shy away from it, fearing the label of self-righteousness. However, if Jesus were to address us today, He would reiterate His words from the New Testament: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added unto you."
The Greek term "protos," used by Jesus, signifies not just chronological precedence but foremost importance. Thus, seeking God's kingdom and righteousness is the top priority for believers. Jesus' warning that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees is a call to genuine faith that manifests in authentic righteousness. While justification is by faith, sanctification involves growing in righteousness, reflecting the transformative work of Christ in our lives.
The Pharisees, often criticized for their hypocrisy, were initially a group dedicated to righteousness. They were evangelistic, zealous in their missionary efforts, and scrupulous in tithing, even down to the smallest herbs. Yet, their righteousness was largely external, lacking the internal transformation that true faith brings. Jesus acknowledged their dedication to Scripture and their disciplined spiritual practices, but He condemned their superficial religiosity.
The challenge for us is to avoid reducing our faith to mere externals. Authentic righteousness involves both the letter and the spirit, the external and the internal. It is about obedience to God's commands, not just in outward actions but in the transformation of our hearts. As we seek to live out our faith, let us strive for a righteousness that reflects the heart of God, marked by justice, mercy, and faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The chief goal of the Christian life is righteousness, a concept often overshadowed by terms like piety and spirituality. True righteousness is about seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness as our foremost priority, as emphasized by Jesus. [02:26]
- Jesus' warning that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Genuine faith is evidenced by a life that manifests righteousness beyond mere external observance. [04:19]
- The Pharisees, despite their flaws, were zealous in their pursuit of righteousness, evangelism, and tithing. Their dedication serves as a reminder of the importance of commitment to God's commands, even as we strive for internal transformation. [10:44]
- Authentic righteousness involves both external obedience and internal transformation. It is not enough to focus solely on outward actions; our faith must penetrate our hearts, leading to a life that reflects God's justice, mercy, and faith. [25:48]
- The danger of reducing the Christian life to externals is ever-present. True godliness requires a balance of the letter and the spirit, the external and the internal, as we seek to live out our faith in obedience to God's commands. [26:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - The Bottom Line of Christian Life
[00:45] - The Chief Goal: Righteousness
[01:20] - The Misunderstood Term: Righteousness
[02:26] - Seek First the Kingdom
[03:00] - Protos: Foremost Importance
[03:37] - Exceeding the Righteousness of Pharisees
[04:19] - The Frightening Warning of Jesus
[05:21] - Justification and Imputation
[06:22] - Simul Justus et Peccator
[07:35] - Faith and Works in Sanctification
[08:20] - The Righteousness of the Pharisees
[10:01] - The Origin of the Pharisees
[11:30] - Evangelistic Zeal of the Pharisees
[13:15] - The Pharisees' Commitment to Tithing
[15:47] - The Weightier Matters of the Law
[22:03] - Pharisees as Students of Scripture
[25:04] - The Danger of External Religion
[26:12] - Authentic Righteousness: Inside and Out
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Matthew 5:20 - "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."
3. Matthew 23:23 - "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"? How does this relate to the concept of "protos" as explained in the sermon? [02:26]
2. How does the sermon describe the righteousness of the Pharisees, and what were some of their practices that Jesus acknowledged? [10:44]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' warning that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? [04:19]
4. What were some of the external religious practices of the Pharisees mentioned in the sermon, and why were they criticized by Jesus? [25:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" in terms of priority and importance in a believer's life? [03:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the righteousness of the Pharisees was lacking, despite their dedication to religious practices? [11:57]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between justification by faith and the call to manifest righteousness in our lives? [06:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the balance between external religious practices and internal transformation in achieving authentic righteousness? [25:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you prioritize external religious practices over internal transformation? How can you seek a balance between the two? [25:48]
2. Jesus warns that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees. What specific steps can you take to ensure your faith is genuine and not just a display of external religiosity? [04:19]
3. The Pharisees were zealous in their pursuit of righteousness. How can you cultivate a similar zeal in your own spiritual journey, while ensuring it is rooted in genuine faith? [10:44]
4. Consider the concept of "seeking first the kingdom of God." What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness? [02:26]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of both justice and mercy. Identify a situation in your life where you can practice these qualities more intentionally. [20:05]
6. Reflect on your approach to evangelism and outreach. How can you increase your commitment to sharing your faith with others, inspired by the Pharisees' zeal for conversion? [13:15]
7. The sermon discusses the danger of reducing faith to mere externals. How can you ensure that your spiritual disciplines are leading to true heart transformation? [25:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Pursuing Righteousness as Our Chief Goal
The Christian life is centered on the pursuit of righteousness, which is often overshadowed by other spiritual terms. Righteousness is not merely about external piety or spirituality but involves seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness as our foremost priority. Jesus emphasized this in His teachings, urging believers to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else. This pursuit is not just about following rules but about aligning our lives with God's will and reflecting His character in our daily actions. True righteousness is transformative, impacting both our internal attitudes and external behaviors. [02:26]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness in your daily routine this week?
Day 2: Authentic Faith Beyond External Observance
Jesus' warning that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the law, yet their righteousness was largely external. Genuine faith, however, is evidenced by a life that manifests righteousness beyond mere external observance. It involves a deep, internal transformation that reflects the heart of God. As believers, we are called to a higher standard of righteousness that goes beyond outward appearances and is rooted in a sincere relationship with God. [04:19]
"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where your faith might be more about external observance than internal transformation. How can you invite God to work in that area?
Day 3: Learning from the Pharisees' Zeal
The Pharisees, despite their flaws, were zealous in their pursuit of righteousness, evangelism, and tithing. Their dedication serves as a reminder of the importance of commitment to God's commands, even as we strive for internal transformation. While their approach was often criticized for being superficial, their zeal and dedication to Scripture can inspire us to be equally committed in our spiritual practices. The challenge is to balance this zeal with a genuine heart transformation that reflects God's love and justice. [10:44]
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." (Matthew 23:23, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual practices. How can you ensure that your zeal for God's commands is matched by a heart transformed by His love and justice?
Day 4: Balancing External Obedience and Internal Transformation
Authentic righteousness involves both external obedience and internal transformation. It is not enough to focus solely on outward actions; our faith must penetrate our hearts, leading to a life that reflects God's justice, mercy, and faith. This balance is crucial in living out a genuine Christian life. As we strive to obey God's commands, we must also allow His Spirit to transform our hearts, ensuring that our actions are a true reflection of our inner faith. [25:48]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area where your external actions may not align with your internal beliefs. What steps can you take to bring these into harmony?
Day 5: Avoiding the Trap of External Religion
The danger of reducing the Christian life to externals is ever-present. True godliness requires a balance of the letter and the spirit, the external and the internal, as we seek to live out our faith in obedience to God's commands. It is easy to fall into the trap of focusing on outward religious practices while neglecting the internal transformation that God desires. As believers, we must be vigilant in ensuring that our faith is not just a set of rituals but a living relationship with God that transforms every aspect of our lives. [26:12]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any that have become mere rituals? How can you infuse them with genuine faith and relationship with God?
Quotes
As I read the Scriptures, it seems to me that the bottom line, the chief goal of the Christian life is righteousness – that what God wants from us more than anything else is righteousness. Now, I emphasize that for a reason. I hear Christians speaking all the time about piety, about spirituality, and even about morality, but you almost never hear anybody talk about righteousness. [00:00:48]
If Jesus were to walk in that room tonight, and we said to Him, “Lord, what is the chief priority that You have for Your church?” If He answered that question this evening the way He answered it in the New Testament period, He would say this: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added unto you.” [00:01:59]
Jesus doesn’t simply mean number one in terms of chronological order, but this word “protos” in the New Testament carries the implication of that which is first, not only in order of sequence, but it is foremost in terms of importance. That is to say, when Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God,” He’s saying, “This is the top priority of the Christian life – seeking the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness.” [00:03:06]
Unless your righteousness exceeds – that is, goes beyond – the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you don’t have a chance of getting into the kingdom of God. Now, there are a couple of ways that we can interpret what Jesus is saying. Some commentators look at that phrase by Jesus, and they say, “Well we don’t have anything to worry about because what Jesus is talking about here is the righteousness that is required for us for justification.” [00:04:37]
But Luther said in our sanctification it doesn’t stay like that – that the person who is declared to be just by faith, if that faith is in fact genuine and not just a claim to faith or a charade here but that it’s authentic faith, then Christ will truly begin to be formed in that person’s life, and that person will begin to show forth the fruit of righteousness. [00:06:48]
So even though we don’t teach justification by works, we still are very much concerned with the fact that the New Testament calls us to show our faith by our works; and justification is by faith, but sanctification is where we grow in authentic righteousness. [00:07:49]
The Pharisees, as a party in Israel, emerged after the exile and the return from exile. Well what had happened was that the new generation of Israelite people began to adopt the pagan practices of those who were now in place, and they forgot their traditions. They forgot the Law of Moses and the covenant promises that God had made, and so a group of people who were especially devout arose in the nation who were the ancient counterparts, ladies and gentlemen, to the Puritans. [00:09:18]
They had this profound desire to reform the faith of Israel and to restore godliness to the nation. They were the conservatives of Israel who wanted to reach back into the past and recapture the pristine purity of the Commonwealth of Israel, and so they set themselves apart out of this concentrated zeal to obey the law of God; and because of their single-minded desire towards righteousness, they were named the “Set Apart Ones” – the “Pharisees.” [00:10:05]
We hear Jesus denouncing the Pharisees when He says unto them, “Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you compass sea and land to make one convert, and when he is made you make him twice the child of hell that you are yourselves.” Now, this is a pretty scathing indictment that Jesus makes of these people, but while He’s making this criticism, He does acknowledge that they are evangelical, or at least evangelistic. [00:12:06]
The second thing we learn about the Pharisees is that they were tithers. Not only were they tithers, ladies and gentlemen, they were scrupulous in obeying God’s laws for tithing. In other words, they put their money where their mouths were. The last poll that I saw about – that was taken of “evangelical Christians” in the United States of America indicated that four percent of proclaimed evangelical Christians tithe their income. [00:15:35]
The Pharisees spent all kinds of time in disciplined, spiritual exercises, and in prayer. In fact, they loved to be called upon at public meetings to pray because they were so eloquent, and the people applauded them. They were the teachers, the preachers, the prayers, the evangelists – the professional religionists of their day. [00:24:01]
The word that Jesus uses for them again and again is the word “hupokritos” – hypocrite – which means “one who is a play-actor,” one who on the surface manifests a religiosity, a kind of piety, but whose life in the deeper dimension never, ever reaches authentic righteousness. Now again, the danger here of reducing the Christian life to externals is a danger that comes in every age. [00:24:49]
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