Law Shows Our Need for a Savior

Even the most dedicated lawkeepers fall short

For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20).

The essence and purpose of God's law are seen in its role as a mirror reflecting our shortcomings rather than as a testament to our adequacy. The law sets a perfect standard that reveals our sins, emphasizing that our efforts alone are insufficient for achieving the righteousness necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. Even the most devout figures, such as the scribes and Pharisees, with all their rituals and scholarly pursuits, fell short of this standard. Thus, the law's primary function is not to commend our virtue but to highlight our need for a Savior.

Righteousness and its significance in the Christian life are central themes in the Bible. To be righteous means to live by God's will, reflecting Jesus' righteousness in every aspect of our lives. This pursuit is essential because it signifies the transformation from superficial religious observance to genuine, heartfelt devotion. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus emphasizes that true righteousness must exceed the superficial righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, who concentrated more on external appearances than internal purity.

The Pharisees were often preoccupied with external adherence to the law, which Jesus criticized in Matthew 23:25-26. He challenged them to cleanse their inner selves, allowing their outward lives to reflect their inner transformation. This call to introspection highlights how easily one can become entangled in a facade of piety without true spiritual renewal.

Righteousness cannot be achieved through the law alone. Verses such as Galatians 2:16 and Romans 4:3 teach that righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not legalistic observance. This truth is also evident in the Old Testament, where Leviticus 11:44 establishes God as the ultimate standard of holiness, urging us to be holy because He is holy. Furthermore, Matthew 5:48 calls us to aspire to the perfect standard of our heavenly Father.

Righteousness is obtained not through human effort but through faith in Jesus Christ. Multiple scriptures, including Romans chapters 5 and 8, support this, explaining how grace, rather than law, reigns through righteousness. Grace offers us eternal life and fulfills the law’s requirements through our lives led by the Spirit.

As we conclude, it is vital to recognize that religious activities and moral uprightness alone are insufficient. Entry into God's kingdom is only possible through Christ. Philippians 3:9 captures the essence of faith, highlighting that righteousness from God is based on faith:

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.

This is the cornerstone of salvation, inviting us to reflect on our spiritual status and embrace belief in the Lord for true righteousness and eternal life.