December 3

The righteousness of God. — ROMANS x. 3.

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. — MATT. v. 20.

IN the preceding verses Jesus has been declaring the majesty of the law: then having made this startling announcement, he proceeds to illustrate the many ways in which both its spirit and letter were violated by the traditional "doers" and "teachers." He demands a distinguishing righteousness in his followers which shall sharply differentiate them from these traditionalists. They are to show a righteousness which shall exceed anything conceived by these old religionists, which shall have grained into its very life a love for truth and a respect for the interests of others. This spotlessness is demanded as the legitimate and convincing fruit of faith, the supreme test of the new kingdom. This demand is uncompromising. But here, as elsewhere, Jesus is insisting on the sacredness of the spirit of the law. The righteousness of the Pharisees consisted of an unwearying observance of the letter: but white and clean without, their hearts were far from God. The Christian disciple is to come by faith into such fellowship with Christ that obedience is the result of harmony. He has passed out from the schoolhouse. His renewed nature acts from an intelligent acquiescence in the spirit of the requirement. His righteousness exceeds that of all scribes and Pharisees because it is righteousness and not mere commandment-keeping.

Watson L. Phillips

Our God is love; and all his saints

His image bear below.

The heart with love to God inspired

With love to man will glow.

THOMAS COTTERILL (affred)