Only your righteousness matters, not the doctrine.

“Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?” (Matthew 12:5 KJV)

Bible passage: Matthew 12: 1-8

      God is concerned with the virtue and purity of your being, not the doctrine you received. It is imperative that you take your righteousness sincerely. The scripture stated that without righteousness and holiness in your heart, no man will perceive God.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 KJV)

      The scripture emphasised holiness as a means to perceive God through your own lenses and not through the doctrine you received as a Christian. Through the Bible passage above, the Pharisees exalt their doctrine rather than their righteousness. Jesus knew that they were hypocrites – they were extremely religious but lacked righteousness within them. Jesus said this in Mathew 5: 20:

“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.”

      The Pharisees in the Bible verse above also represent the preachers and the Christian rulers who were extremely religious but sinful. The statement by Jesus in Matthew 5:20 implies that it is only when your righteousness extends beyond the words of these religious preachers that you will be ready for the Kingdom of God.

      Consider your righteousness with more importance than the doctrine you have been endowed with. Don’t be like the Pharisees who are well-versed in the word of God but lack holiness in their hearts.

Devotional Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your word today. Father, help me be righteous.