What does it mean to have a righteousness that exceeds the Pharisees?

In Matthew 5:20, Jesus indicates that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees. This does not merely refer to outward observances of the law but to an inner transformation through faith in Christ. The preacher articulates that true righteousness is not about our own efforts or merits but comes from being united with Christ, who is our righteousness. This means recognizing that we cannot attain holiness on our own, and instead, we must rely entirely upon Christ's sacrificial work for our standing before God. Such a righteousness is a divine gift rather than a human accomplishment.