Why does Christ's righteousness matter for believers?

The superiority of Christ's righteousness is crucial for believers because it is the only means by which they can stand before a holy God. Matthew 5:20 states that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. This illustrates the futility of self-righteousness and highlights that our own efforts are insufficient. As believers, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, which covers our sins and makes us acceptable to God. His righteousness, credited to us by faith, assures us of our standing before God and enables us to approach Him with confidence, knowing our sins are forgiven through His sacrifice.