The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 11 April 2019 – Jesus Our Righteousness
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TOPIC: Jesus Our Righteousness
READ: Matthew 5:17-26 King James Version (KJV)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
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.
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.
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.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
THE MESSAGE:
Jesus taught about the character, blessedness and influence of the citizens of heaven (verses 3-16). Here, He talks about the righteousness expected of His disciples. He begins by correcting the false impression that He came to abolish the Law and the Prophets. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and to show us its meaning by His obedience which becomes our very source of salvation. He fulfills the Law in His death in which we see the reality of the Laws demand for holiness. He fulfills the law in us, too, by His grace and by the work of the Holy Spirit, through which He writes again, God’s Law on our hearts. He fulfills it by living the quality of life which the Law aspired. The Law, therefore, implies far more than the Pharisees’ safe interpretations. Man looks on the exterior, but God examines the heart, which is often the root of sin.
Friend, no one can be righteous or be saved through the Law but only through Christ Jesus, Who is our Saviour and righteousness. He has fulfilled the demands of God on our behalf by His death on the cross. When you believe Him and put your trust and hope in Him, you will find acceptance before God as there is no other way of becoming righteous apart from Christ!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to daily conform to Your image and be clothed in Your righteousness.
