Righteousness

Rev.20:[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

There is coming a day of Judgment for all of mankind. There might be those who think they will stand in judgment and be okay because after all “they are as good as the next guy”. They gamble with the eternal destiny of their soul thinking they will be alright. They do not realize the seriousness of their sin or perhaps how God views sin. Let us look at some of the standards as set forth by Jesus in the sermon on the mount. Then I want to ask you how good do you think you are? and how will you measure up on Judgment Day?

Matthew 5:20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus tells us our righteousness must EXCEED the Pharisees. The Pharisees lived the law. They tithed, witnessed, taught, prayed, gave to the poor, worshiped God etc. They were indeed a godly sect but not good enough to face the Day of Judgment.

[21] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
[22] But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

So you think you are good enough? Ever been angry? Ever lost your cool?

27] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Ever look at a pretty woman and thought you would like to have them? Not even expressed it necessarily but just THOUGHT it?

[29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
[30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Still think you are okay? This is how God looks at our sin!!!

38] Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
[39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
[40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
[41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
[42] Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Think you look out for your fellow man? Do you meet this standard of brotherly love?

48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Well, how are you measuring up? You think you are perfect? Think you can stand the Judgment? NONE OF US ON OUR OWN MERIT WILL BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD. Then what are we to do? How can a man stand before God? There is one way and one way only to do so.

2 Corinthians 5:[[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[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.

Jesus Christ died for your sin. He lived the perfect life and died on the cross for your sin. God raised Him up out of Hell so that you may have eternal life. We are to confess before God we are a sinner and having no hope ask Jesus to come into our heart and give your life to Him. God has promised to make us a new creature and give us His righteousness because we possess none of our own.

Philippians 3:[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 I implore you give your life to Jesus before it is too late. Accept the free gift of salvation by putting your trust in Jesus Christ.