Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus preached that the righteous are the ones that will inherit the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:6, 20, 6:33; John 3:20, 7:7, 15:19; 1 John 2:15-16). Paul in like manner said the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:5; Galatians 5:19-21).
What could be more plain? The simple fact is that it is impossible to live wrong and die right. If you are going to be considered righteous, then you must allow the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God to make you righteous. God has entrusted His righteousness to us, supplying all that we need for this life and godliness (Matthew 6:33; Romans 3:21-22, 6:13, 10:3, 14:17; 1 Corinthians 15:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and Ephesians 4:24; Philippians 1:11, 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 3:8,10; and Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Jude 20-25).
Our responsibility to live in righteousness is not less, but greater than theirs in the Old Testament. More has been given to us than was given to them, and surely none will escape the responsibility and the accountability that comes along with this “so great a salvation.” (Hebrews 2-4).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
