Living God’s way: Our Righteousness Must Surpass

Carlton G. McPeak Guest Columnist While sitting down on a side of a mountain, Jesus speaks to a large crowd about being righteous. He says, “That unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees were religious leaders among the Jewish community. They were a group of people who believed in following the laws of God very strictly. They were very diligent in their efforts to keep the commandments of God. In most cases Jesus does not complement them. However, in this passage He is using them as a standard. He tells His disciples they must exceed the righteousness of these people. Wh