Righteousness is essential for Christians as it reflects God's character and is the criteria for entering God's kingdom (Matthew 5:20).
Righteousness, fundamentally, is about being in right standing with God, which is crucial for every believer. According to Matthew 5:20, Jesus declares that unless one's righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, no one can enter the kingdom of heaven. This underlines the necessity of a righteousness that is not merely external but stems from a heart transformed by Christ. Righteousness is not achieved through human efforts but is imputed to believers through faith in Jesus Christ and expressed in their lives as they live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, indicating their status as children of God.
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