In this chapter, Christ continues to teach people true interpretations of God’s words. Those who were thirsty for truths came to John the Baptist and then to Christ. Christ gives them true interpretations of God’s words.

Firstly, Christ talks about judging others. It may appear that Christ is against any kind of judgements on the fellow believers of God. It may appear to contradict to what Paul says.

For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? (1 Conrinthians 5:12)

But what Christ says here is not different from Paul. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law asserted a pious life shown to other people. They thought they had the authority to judge others instead of understanding the true meaning of the Law.

You judge according to human standards [just by what you see]. I do not judge anyone. (John 8:15)

Here, Christ does not say he does not judge at all. He does not judge according to human standards. Many Christians use this verse to avoid any kind of discipline or to support those who have committed a sin. Because they do not know God, they violate God’s Law by turning a blind eye to abominable acts. The Kingdom consists of people who are kings, prophets, and priests. Saints are trained to teach and judge. We do not judge by human standards but by God’s wisdom.

Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and teach them to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. In a dispute they shall take their stand to judge; they shall judge it according to My ordinances. They shall also keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed feasts, and sanctify My Sabbaths. (Ezekiel 44:23-24)

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? (1 Cor 6:3)

The teachers of Israel were given the authority to teach others. But they judged people by what they saw. They emphasized only externally pious life and ruled over others by judging people. Since they believed righteousness that comes from the Law, they asserted the traditions made for keeping the Law.

Their ideas are shockingly similar to the Puritan reformers in the 17^th century. The Reformed churches are rooted in their theology, especially that of John Owen. The Covenant Theology and the active obedience of Christ are written to assert an externally pious life. Church authorities are busy condemning people and enjoy their earthly power while they do not respect the Law of God. They do not judge by God’s authority but by human standards.

Saints judge by God’s authority because we are united with Christ. We do make bad judgements at times. But God disciplines us in His loving-kindness and patience. We do not boast that we keep the Law. We do not say we can keep the Law. We live the life of Romans 7.

It is very important to remember that our righteousness is not from the Law. Christ did not keep the Law to gain righteousness. He came to fulfill all God’s will because He is righteous. We are dead to sin and are resurrected to life because of Christ. We are clothed with God’s righteousness by uniting with Christ. The church’s righteousness is not from keeping of the Law. Obedience comes from the Holy Spirit. Adam could not obey God or overcome temptations because he relied on his own wisdom. Christ obeys the Father and overcomes temptations because He is united with the Father and knows Him. If we say our righteousness is from keeping of the Law, our righteousness is conditional. We will walk the same path as the Pharisees and the Puritans (and the Reformed), who say they keep the Law but do not.

I once read an article by a Reformed minister who said he was grateful that he was born in a Reformed church. I daresay it is more difficult for those in the Reformed than those in other religions or other Christian denominations to accept the gospel because they are confident that they keep the Law. This minister went on and said he admires John Owen and uphold Puritan teachings. I consider the Puritans the most dangerous and treacherous group. I once listened to a presentation of a prominent Puritan Reformed preacher/professor. At the end, he talked about choosing between God and the devil. He did not understand the divine election or Sola Gratia at all. We are not saved by our choice. There are many in the Reformed who say they understand TULIP, but their own words deny their understanding.

In Matthew chapter 7, Christ clearly explains the difference between two groups – one under grace and the other with pride and confidence in the Law. One bears fruit and is built on the rock. The other bears no fruit and is built on the sand. It is an irony that those who think their righteousness comes from the Law are told by God, “I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS” (v.23)

The reason why God sees the Protestant and the Roman Catholic the same is because both believe that their righteousness is from keeping of the Law. It is important to understand that our righteousness is from God and does not rely on the keeping of the Law. People like Owen say that Christ as the Lawgiver did not need to keep the Law but did it anyway for the church because righteousness comes from keeping of the Law. Righteousness that comes from the Law is mere uprightness that Adam had. Righteousness given to saints for free is superior. We do not become like Adam in the garden of Eden.

Those who rely on the Law for their righteousness are not saints but belong to the other group. One with the Holy Spirit lives the life of Romans 7 but will gradually depart from old unlawful ways of life. Therefore, saints uphold the Law by the Holy Spirit.

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? Far from it! On the contrary, we establish the Law. (Romans 3:31)