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The Righteousness That God Requires, April 18
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.
Matthew 5:20
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The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was of a selfish character,
consisting of external forms. The righteousness which God requires is
internal as well as external. The heart must be purified, else Christ cannot
be enthroned there. The life must be conformed to the will of God
External forms cannot take the place of inward piety. The Jewish
teachers exalted themselves as righteous; they called all those who differed
from them accursed, and closed the gates of heaven to them, declaring that
those who had not learned in their schools, were not righteous. But with
all their criticisms and exactions, with all their forms and ceremonies, they
were an offense to God. They looked down upon and despised the very
ones precious in the sight of the Lord....
Human devices, human plans, and human counsels will be without
power. Only in Christ Jesus will the church near the period of Christ’s
coming be able to stand. She is required of her Redeemer to advance in
piety, to have increasing zeal, understanding better as she nears the end
that her own “high calling” is “of God in Christ Jesus.”
There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges
and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid
open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of
humble obedience, doing God’s will, they will know more and more of the
oracles of God, and be established in right doctrines.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit will dispel human imaginings, will
break down self-erected barriers, and will cause to cease the feeling that
“I am holier than thou.” There will be a humble spirit with all, more faith
and love; self will not be exalted.... Christ’s spirit, Christ’s example, will
be exemplified in His people. We shall follow more closely the ways and
works of Jesus.... The love of Jesus will pervade our hearts
[115]
26
Letter 102, 1901
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27
Letter 5, 1889
.
115