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Works Or Faith?




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

Here Jesus is saying base on works of the laws, except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees you don't claim to be righteous. These are not righteous; Because by works shall no man be justify, only by faith.
Let's look at Apostle Paul testimony in Philippians 3:3, when the matter of circumcision came up, he said
... Worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
because the flesh is unreliable.

Paul was a Pharisees, one of the strictest sect among the Jewish region. He is saying here, have on confidence in the flesh, if any should have confidence in the flesh, he is more qualify. As regards keeping the law he is from the center of it. Here is how he qualify. Philippians 3:4-5
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
When you read further, you will see him talking about if any body is qualified at-all, "I am more" based on his root and association from childhood.
Apostle Paul is now saying, I have discovered that all the works are not able to bring me into Christ. In verse 9 he said,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
So, he (we) can only claim righteousness by faith, not by any kind of works.

So, if it's by works; your righteousness must need to exceed the Scribes and Pharisees. But, if it's of faith, then it's by grace. This is a gift from God through Jesus Christ, based on the finished works on the cross.

Jesus is Lord!

Enahoro Airononi
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