The righteousness of the Pharisees

[Adullam]

17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For 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.
Murder
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]
Adultery
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.





The Pharisees followed the law to the letter. That was the problem...they looked on the outside, the facade: if all seemed ok then that was fine. They polished the outside of the cup so as to make a good show of it. The letter truly does kill, however, whether we follow it or use it on others.


But Jesus taught the spirit of the law. He closed the loopholes and looked at the heart of the matter. A person could beat someone to a bloody pulp, but as long as he didn't kill him, he thought he hadn't transgressed the law. Likewise a man could lust all he wanted, as long as he didn't actually touch his object of lust, he hadn't sinned in his own eyes. Are we any better?


Love fulfills the whole law. Love of God and of our neighbour. Both are required to be obedient in the eyes of the Lord.

Are we angry with our brother?
Do we lust after women, things, positions?
Do we seek our own honour?
Are we ever dishonest in our speech and thoughts?
Do we have idols in our hearts?
Is God truly first in our hearts?
Have we put our own works behind us to pursue living works of faith?
Do we bring love wherever we go?

Do we see with these eyes the facade of material life as a carnal man, or do we see through faith?

 

[Adullam]

Ultimately, this beautiful reality, this creation we live in is a facade of sorts. The eternal reality is not found there. This planet turns and things grow and die in a seemingly endless cycle....but eternal things are not defined there. There are two realities....the one we see and experience as carnal animals....and the one that only faith can see; the eternity beyond. Our souls live in a middle ground of temporal reality together with our own hopes and dreams. But without a divine birth from heaven we cannot see anything beyond the facade of this present life.

A Christian is to be one that "sees" beyond the facade of this life into the eternal reality. Jesus Christ, during His time here, saw this eternal way and many miracles were done. We too can see likewise through Christ within us, in the form of the new nature and spiritual gifts. We can see through His eyes. In this way we become witnesses of the truth. We declare the eternal truth to a world that sees only the temporal cause and effect universe. The world is blind to the reality of the Spirit. It is like make-believe to them. Yet, we are witnesses to the divine in spite of ridicule and persecution. A difficult assignment to be sure.

We are not on our own. We are a brotherhood. What God gives to one He means for all to have. We receive from Christ to give to others. We cannot become a dead end of grace. Grace is meant to be shared. We must not tire of sharing this new life with others, though some may attack our efforts.

The Pharisees could not see beyond their own reality so their righteousness was limited to their myopic viewpoint. Can we see further than they?

 

[GodspromisesRyes]

AMEN!!! very well put brother.

This is why Jesus told them, do what they say not what they do.

 

[whirlwind]

It is difficult for at times it is the brotherhood, each of us, that attacks one another.

Is it because what I see, I want others to also see (my way). And...they see and want to make me see (their way). All the while...He wants US to see.

Good post Adullum!

 

[Joe67]

Adullam,

Matt 11:11
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. KJV

Matt 5:19
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. KJV

The "least in the kingdom of heaven" is greater than John the baptist.

This is a mystery.

Joe

 

[Adullam]

Adullam,

Matt 11:11
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. KJV

Matt 5:19
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. KJV

The "least in the kingdom of heaven" is greater than John the baptist.

This is a mystery.

Joe

Yes! But on the other hand we can know in part as Paul says.

Before the new birth in Christ, man was at a distinct disadvantage as he had only his own strength plus whatever inspiration could penetrate into his heart and mind. But under the New Covenant we have a new divine birth where Christ indwells and abides within us. What Christ can do through us is far superior to what we can do ourselves from no matter how much revelation we have received. So it is with righteousness. We lack in our own righteousness. It does not fully attain to God even in the best of men. But the Way of Christ is to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ and operate through Him.

So if even the "foolishness" (or what could be seen as foolishness) of God surpasses the wisdom of men, so even an immature walk in Christ surpasses the most righteous of men. It is of a different order. Is not the Melchizedek order greater than the Aaronic order?

 

[gracealone]

Adullam,

Matt 11:11
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. KJV

Matt 5:19
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. KJV

The "least in the kingdom of heaven" is greater than John the baptist.

This is a mystery.

Joe

There is no reason this has to be a mystery. Jesus came bringing the New Covenant and the kingdom of heaven (also called kingdom of God). Jesus said that unless one is born again (or born from above), he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. Of John, Jesus says, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11). In other words, of those who have had only a natural birth, John is the greatest. But even the least who is born again (that is, someone who is in the kingdom of heaven) is greater than John. John the Baptist was the last of the OT prophets. To me, at least, the conclusion is inescapable: John the Baptist, being an Old Testament prophet under the Old Covenant, was in the kingdom of Israel, but not the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God), and he was not born again. Remember that we hear nothing about being born again until the New Testament. Nicodemus had never even heard of it. I believe that Old Testament saints were saved, but they never had the opportunity to enter the kingdom of God in this life as we do because they were not born again. Also, they were under the law, but we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. Therefore, even if a born again believer breaks a commandment (and I believe Christ in Matthew 5:19 was talking about the New Covenant commands He was about to give) or teaches men so, he is still in the kingdom of God because, being in Christ, he cannot be condemned.

Adullam,

Nice post. You might be interested in this article called In What Way Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?: http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/jesusfulfilllawqa1.htm

 

[Joe67]

In the "kingdom of God/heaven"

Faith is least. 30 fold, but still an entrance. Dirt.

Love is greatest. 100 fold. A vessel unto honor. Purified.

Joe

 

[NIGHTMARE]

17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For 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.
Murder
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]
Adultery
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.





The Pharisees followed the law to the letter. That was the problem...they looked on the outside, the facade: if all seemed ok then that was fine. They polished the outside of the cup so as to make a good show of it. The letter truly does kill, however, whether we follow it or use it on others.


But Jesus taught the spirit of the law. He closed the loopholes and looked at the heart of the matter. A person could beat someone to a bloody pulp, but as long as he didn't kill him, he thought he hadn't transgressed the law. Likewise a man could lust all he wanted, as long as he didn't actually touch his object of lust, he hadn't sinned in his own eyes. Are we any better?


Love fulfills the whole law. Love of God and of our neighbour. Both are required to be obedient in the eyes of the Lord.

Are we angry with our brother?
Do we lust after women, things, positions?
Do we seek our own honour?
Are we ever dishonest in our speech and thoughts?
Do we have idols in our hearts?
Is God truly first in our hearts?
Have we put our own works behind us to pursue living works of faith?
Do we bring love wherever we go?

Do we see with these eyes the facade of material life as a carnal man, or do we see through faith?

The Pharisees followed the law to the letter

No they did not follow the law to the letter,,,, actually something you said made me realize that,,,let me see if 'I can find it.......

 

[NIGHTMARE]

17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For 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.
Murder
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]
Adultery
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.





The Pharisees followed the law to the letter. That was the problem...they looked on the outside, the facade: if all seemed ok then that was fine. They polished the outside of the cup so as to make a good show of it. The letter truly does kill, however, whether we follow it or use it on others.


But Jesus taught the spirit of the law. He closed the loopholes and looked at the heart of the matter. A person could beat someone to a bloody pulp, but as long as he didn't kill him, he thought he hadn't transgressed the law. Likewise a man could lust all he wanted, as long as he didn't actually touch his object of lust, he hadn't sinned in his own eyes. Are we any better?


Love fulfills the whole law. Love of God and of our neighbour. Both are required to be obedient in the eyes of the Lord.

Are we angry with our brother?
Do we lust after women, things, positions?
Do we seek our own honour?
Are we ever dishonest in our speech and thoughts?
Do we have idols in our hearts?
Is God truly first in our hearts?
Have we put our own works behind us to pursue living works of faith?
Do we bring love wherever we go?

Do we see with these eyes the facade of material life as a carnal man, or do we see through faith?

The Pharisees followed the law to the letter

No they did not follow the law to the letter,,,, actually something you said made me realize that,,,let me see if 'I can find it.......

Found it

The law is there as a gauge. It's like a voltmeter. Stick a meter in your wall socket (in North America) and you will read 120 volts or so. This is showing that there is power there. Can you run a light off of a voltmeter? No. A meter only detects the power that is already there. So it is with the law. We know we are walking in the Spirit when we are perfectly fulfilling the law.
Adullam

When the pharisees brung the adulterous woman to Christ,,,they told Him that the law said to stone this woman,,,,,,but thats not what the law said......

See the law says both the woman and the man are to be put to death in this case......

But the scribes only brung the woman to trial,,,,where is the man????? If the man is allowed to go free then so is the woman.......The scribes and Pharisees twisted the law they didnt carry it out to the letter or Christ would have got along with them....

So by letting the man go free the woman is obligated to the following::::

Numbers 5:23, 24; "And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter :" "And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter."

But they wanted to stone her,,,,now either the scribes and Pharisees are trying to trick Christ our your friend Nightmare knows the law alot better then them,,,you decide....

 

[Adullam]

Good point Nightmare! So the Pharisees didn't even measure up to the letter of the law...They cherry picked the parts that were easiest for them to accomplish.

Now, we Christians don't do that do we?

 

[NIGHTMARE]

Good point Nightmare! So the Pharisees didn't even measure up to the letter of the law...They cherry picked the parts that were easiest for them to accomplish.

Now, we Christians don't do that do we?

I believe some of us do,,,,but as we grow I believe we Learn to except all of God rules (He only has our best interet in mind).......

 

[Ret]

20For 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.

It is good to be righteous and do good works but compared to Christ my righteousness counts as nothing, though it is 'my duty' to do. Jesus said...

• Luke 17:10
  10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. KJV

 

[Adullam]

20For 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.

It is good to be righteous and do good works but compared to Christ my righteousness counts as nothing, though it is 'my duty' to do. Jesus said...

• Luke 17:10
  10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. KJV

It is not popular in our present culture to think that we will be compared with the pharisees on judgment day. It is one thing to believe in Jesus, but quite another to behave as Jesus did. We can only exhibit Christ's righteousness by abiding in Him. That's the real test then...is Christ really in us?

 

[justvisiting]

Adullam
Ultimately, this beautiful reality, this creation we live in is a facade of sorts. The eternal reality is not found there. This planet turns and things grow and die in a seemingly endless cycle....but eternal things are not defined there. There are two realities....the one we see and experience as carnal animals....and the one that only faith can see; the eternity beyond. Our souls live in a middle ground of temporal reality together with our own hopes and dreams. But without a divine birth from heaven we cannot see anything beyond the facade of this present life.

You sounded so much like Paul there...I couldn't resist.Very poetic.
Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Act 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Act 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 

[Ret]

It is not popular in our present culture to think that we will be compared with the pharisees on judgment day. It is one thing to believe in Jesus, but quite another to behave as Jesus did. We can only exhibit Christ's righteousness by abiding in Him. That's the real test then...is Christ really in us?

The moon reflects the sun, but the sun does NOT reflect the moon. The job of the moon is to 'reflect' the sun, nothing more - nothing less. Likewise, we are given to be IN CHRIST and HE IN US...even as the moon and the sun abide in each other! Still - the moon will never be the sun.

The TEST..? Us fulfilling the roll to which we are called or are we trying to be/do something else...