Matthew 5:20-22 KJV, “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. Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
EG White, SOP Vol 2, 1877, Pp. 219-220, “Here Jesus describes murder as first existing in the mind. That malice and revenge which would delight in deeds of violence is of itself murder. Jesus goes further still, and says, ‘Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgment.’ There is an anger that is not of this criminal nature. A certain kind of indignation is justifiable, under some circumstances, even in the followers of Christ. When they see God dishonored, his name reviled, and the precious cause of truth brought into disrepute by those who profess to revere it, when they see the innocent oppressed and persecuted, a righteous indignation stirs their soul; such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin. Among the listeners are those who congratulate themselves upon their righteousness because they have committed no outward crime, while they are cherishing in their hearts feelings of the same nature as that which prompts the assassin to do his fearful deed. Yet these men make professions of piety, and conform to the outward requirements of religion.”
Matthew 5:23-24 KJV, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
EG White, SOP Vol 2, 1877, Pp. 220-221, “He thus shows that crimes originate in the mind, and, those who permit hatred and revenge to find a place in their hearts have already set their feet in the path of the murderer, and their offerings are not acceptable to God. The only remedy is to root out all bitterness and animosity
from the heart. But the Saviour even goes further than this, and declares that if another has aught against us, we should endeavor to relieve his mind, and, if possible, remove those feelings from it, before our offering can be acceptable with God. This lesson is of special importance to the church at this time. Many are zealous in religious services while unhappy differences exist between them and their brethren which it is in their power to remove, and which God requires them to remove before he will accept their services. Christ has so clearly pointed out the Christian’s course in this matter that there should be no question in his mind as to his duty.”
The righteousness of the Jews is surface level. We are commanded to do righteousness in a heart deep level. Internal righteousness will show in our external religion.
We can only be declared righteous by God when Christ, His Son, is abiding in our hearts. No one else must occupy His throne there.
John 14:6 KJV, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Only Jesus will I cry, lead me Christ when I sigh. Only You can satisfy the Father’s love You magnify. You alone revealed to me the Only true God that in Him I glorify. This I pray till I die.
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.