20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20.
Some wrongly think that the Old Testament represents God’s justice and that the New Testament represents God’s mercy.
Some wrongly think that God somehow changed from a God of justice to a God of mercy.
The cross should serve as a stark and strong reminder that if there ever was a time for God to ease up on His demands for justice, it would be when His beloved Son was on the cross. And yet, we know that God did not ease up the slightest on His demands for justice but imposed the full punishment of justice on His beloved Son Who took on our sins.
But, for us naked sinners (the elect), our Savior Jesus Christ did not only take upon Himself the full wrath of God for the guilt of our sins, Jesus Christ clothed us with His righteousness. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 .
This imputed righteousness is the only way that “our” righteousness will “surpass” the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and be sufficient to allow us to enter the kingdom of heaven.
God not only credits us and views us with the righteousness of Christ; God sanctifies us (makes us holy), and leads us in the paths of righteousness through His Holy Spirit which produces fruit of righteousness. God is not only concerned about how He views us, but He “works out” in our daily lives the righteous behavior befitting such His concern for righteousness.
Although we do not behave perfectly, and we still sin, God has made us slaves of righteousness. “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18.
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4. (Emphasis added).
As we walk in the Spirit, we know what fruit is produced by the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
In conclusion, by the foregoing we better understand God who states: “… I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:24.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 