Slideshow image

In Jesus’ first major sermon, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, 7), Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33a, NKJV). Jesus also warns us that “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20 NKJV).

But Jesus also speaks in a powerful way about “lawlessness.” In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name’? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’Okay”

Righteousness in the Bible can be defined as “the quality of being morally right and just and living in a right relationship with God” (Generative AI).

Righteousness in Salvation

Jesus came to us to let us know what God’s righteousness is like, and to show us how God’s righteousness is different from our ideas of righteousness. Our ideas of righteousness usually involve observing religious rituals or ceremonies that make our conscience feel better. Our concept of righteousness may also include doing good works, even though the motive may be to make ourselves look impressive to those around us, or to think that we are earning God’s favor. Thinking that we have earned God’s favor can make us feel morally superior to others.

In contrast, God’s righteousness is separate and distinct from us trying to keeping the Old Testament Laws, for scripture says, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed…even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” Romans 3:21-22 NKJV).

So, God’s righteousness starts at salvation when God imputes the righteousness of Jesus Christ to those of us who accept Jesus as our savior. Again, scripture says, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation [atoning sacrifice] by His blood, through faith…to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” Romans 3:24-26 NKJV).

In 2 Corinthians 5:21 it is summarized this way, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (NKJV). By accepting Christ’s suffering and death on the cross as payment for my sin, God imputes (ascribes, credits) Christ’s righteousness to me (Romans 3:21-26, 4:5, 4:21-5:1), and I now stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness. This is how “my” righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and ushers me into God’s kingdom (Matthew 5:20).   

 After Salvation, Righteousness Should Become a Lifestyle

After salvation, the Holy Spirit calls us to “sanctification,” which means “to make holy.” Therefore, sanctification is the lifelong process where God molds us into Christ’s image and works in us to make our daily lifestyle more and more holy, and therefore more like Christ.

Fortunately, God has put His Holy Spirit into those of us that have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 16:7-15). The Holy Spirit actively guides each Christ follower to live under Christ’s lordship, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm23:3 NKJV).

That lifestyle begins with us taking God’s Word into our lives on a regular basis. This is because “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV). As we fill our lives with God’s Word, then we “will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path” (Proverbs 2:9 NKJV).

Following Christ’s Commandments

Righteousness includes living out the commands of Christ as best we can, seeking the help of the Holy Spirit, because “all Your commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172 NKJV). Jesus Himself said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me” (John 14:21 NKJV).

Consistently living out Christ’s commandments shows a commitment to doing God’s will, which reflects the lifestyle of Jesus Himself who said, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30 NKJV).

Enduring Trials

Living out Christ’s commandments in the world around us may cause us to run into opposition with the world and its’ values, which could lead to enduring persecution from the world. But enduring suffering for the sake of living righteously is something that God will certainly reward. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10 NKJV). Likewise, Peter added, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14 NKJV).

Even enduring the suffering that comes from trials has a benefit. The book of Hebrews tells us that, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord…for whom the Lord loves He chastens…if you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons” (Hebrews 12:5-7 NKJV). The scripture goes on to say, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11 NKJV).

 

Righteousness is also Internal

Righteousness not only includes our visible actions and audible speech, but also includes our inward thoughts and motivations. For example, Jesus taught that murder also included anger (Matthew 5:21-24) and that adultery also included lust (Matthew 5:27-30). Likewise, Jesus strongly denounced Pharisees and scribes that gave attention to only their outward actions. Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:25-26).

Then Jesus added, “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28). We can cleanse our heart by studying God’s Word and obeying it (Psalm 119:9, 11).           

 

What is Lawlessness?

Lawlessness comes from not doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21, 23). What is the will of God? Most basically, we do God’s will when we live out Christ’s commandments. This was proved when Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount by saying, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24 NKJV). Likewise, in Luke’s shorter version of the sermon, as Jesus nears the conclusion, He asks, “why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV). 

In addition, other New Testament commandments spell out God’s Will. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, we are told, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality” (NKJV). See also, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and 1 Peter 2:15-17.

In Ephesians 5, Paul writes, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:3-7, NKJV).

Lawlessness can also involve making choices that God does not approve. In Isaiah 66:4, God says, “Because, when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not hear; but they did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight” (Isaiah 66:4, NKJV). 

So, a lawlessness lifestyle includes doing those things which are against scripture, a lifestyle that ignores Christ’s commandments (or does not try to live by Christ’s commandments). A lifestyle that chooses those things that do not please God. A lifestyle that lives to satisfy my own desires, plans, and appetites instead of living out Christ’s commandments or other New Testament commands that are revealed in Scripture.

    

Conclusion

American Christianity today has many who call themselves Christians but only read the Bible very little or not at all, so they don’t know much of how the New Testament tells them to live. By avoiding the regular reading and study of God’s Word, they are unaware of God’s standards for righteous living, and therefore, often live a lifestyle that has much more in common with popular culture than the lordship of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith that they claim to believe (Matthew 7:13-14).

None of us will perfectly live out the commands of Christ, as well as other New Testament commands. However, if we are truly born-again followers of Jesus Christ, the overall trajectory of our life should be to seek God’s Word on a regular basis to know Jesus Christ better and to learn how He wants us to live life for Him. Living for Christ instead of myself should lead to producing “fruit” unto His glory (Matthew 7:16-20, John 15:5-8). Talking about Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV).

Those who claim to be followers of Jesus, yet neglect God’s Word and are unaware of God’s will (such as His commands and standards), are in danger of living outside of Christ’s lordship. The influence of popular culture, with its many excesses, may determine their way of living.  They run the risk of standing before Jesus on judgement day and hearing Him say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23 NKJV).