Paul: His Life and His Teachings Living in God's Righteousness According to Jesus
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No.44 Paul: His Life and Teachings - Living in God's Righteousness According to Jesus (Part 1)
No.45 Paul: His Life and Teachings - Living in God's Righteousness According to Jesus (Part 2)
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In Galatians 3:21-24, the apostle Paul is showing to us how our righteousness cannot be obtained through following the Law. This is so, because no one is able to keep the Law in its entirety. The question is, how should we look at the Law now? Notice that even Paul himself characterized the Law to be holy, righteous, and good (Rom. 7:12). The Bible teaches that in living in righteousness, we need to actually surpass the righteousness of religiosity, or the religious leaders. Jesus clearly tells us in Matthew 5:17-20 that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. To abolish means to destroy or to overthrow or to discard ones’ effectivity.
Verse 19 (Matt.5) tells us that we are not to annul even the least of the commandments of God. Today, some have already annulled the Law. Perhaps, they did not read this portion of the teaching of Jesus properly. Of course, the part of the Law pertaining to Jesus’ substitutionary suffering, death, and resurrection is already fulfilled. What many people forget is that that most of the Law is on how we relate to one another as manifested by how we are relating to God. In this lesson, we will look into how we are going to surpass the righteousness of religiosity.
We are not to minimize or dismiss the commandments of God, but execute it according to its intent or spirit. Here are the specific areas that Jesus identified. They are areas that we face every day – areas where we need to do better than just being religious. First, on you shall not commit murder. The Bible’s teaching still stands that whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But Jesus further taught that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell (Matt.5:21-22). Jesus continued saying, "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering (vv.23-24). He added that we are to resolve issues before it goes to court, or we may wound up being handed over to the judge, and then onto the prison officer (v.25).
On not committing adultery, Jesus raised the bar by teaching that every-one who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matt.5:28). Hence, if say our eye is being an instrument to sinning, better to tear it out and throw it from one’s self; for it is better for one to lose a part of the body, than for one’s whole body to be thrown into hell (vv.29,30). On divorce, Jesus taught, "It was said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce'; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery (vv.31,32). On not making false vows and fulfilling our vows before the Lord; Jesus taught not to make oaths at all either by heaven or by earth for both are of God’s. Instead, he commands us to simply make our yes, a yes, and our no’s as no’s for everything beyond is of evil. On not being bitter against our neighbor and not being rebellious against authority; Jesus abolished the mantra. “An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth.” He instead taught about giving our other cheek, giving beyond what is being taken from us, and doing an extra mile.
Jesus taught about going beyond loving our neighbors to loving even our enemies; just as God is gracious both to those who are sinners and those who are righteous. To take care of our own is a common thing – even the worst of sinners do that; so as our Father is perfect, we are to do above and beyond what the law requires. Jesus also taught to observe practical applications of righteousness in our life. One is to practice righteousness for our Heavenly Father and not to be noticed by someone else. When we extend help to the poor, it should not be because we want to show the whole world that we are doing god deeds. Rather, or giving should be in secret just as the Father rewards us in secret. The same principle applies whenever we pray, exercise forgiveness, fast, and do other things – it should be above what is required, not for our own self- glorification, but to please our Father who is in heaven. We are to practice righteousness to store treasures in heaven, while living by faith, firmly rooted in God, not condemning others, and seeking first His kingdom. Praise be to God!