For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20
Wow! Jesus pulls no punches. How is our righteousness supposed to exceed that of the experts? How are we supposed to live holy and perfect lives?
Jesus gives us six examples in Matthew of how far we are from being perfect in the law. He exposes the difference from the letter of the law by showing us the heart of the law. In fact, it’s a matter of obeying from the heart and not just in appearance.
It is only through the mercy and grace of God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus that this change can be made in us. We obey because our hearts are fully surrendered to Jesus. This change is from the inside-out.