Thursday, March 6 2008

Kingdom Standard

Mt. 5:20 – ‘For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’

I can imagine the stunning faces of the crowd who heard these words that came out from Jesus’ mouth. I mean the Scribes and the Pharisees were the top of the tops in terms of religious practices – if anybody that God had His eyes on and if anybody were the first ones qualified entering God’s kingdom – it’s got to be them! Well, not so said Jesus.

Jesus knew that external behavior is deceiving most of the times – especially in religious practices. We may act lovingly, but it doesn’t mean that we really love. We may abstain from any act of sexual immorality, but it doesn’t mean that we never lust in our hearts. Religion can help us act lovingly, but it can’t turn us into loving people.

Outward behavior and obedience may fool our friends, neighbors, and others, but what God requires is not simply more obedience, but rather a deeper obedience – obedience that comes from the heart. You do it because you have it inside, not because you have to or simply because someone told you to do it. We may need once in a while an encouragement or reminder, yet it is all up to our hearts – it serves as our fuel and the sustainer of what we really believe in and thus reflect what we do regardless, despite our circumstances, conditions, or even the kinds of people that we’re dealing with. Don’t be fooled, hearts are what God sees and what He requires of us.