The second half of righteousness

Recently I was in a discussion with a person who did not believe in mortal sin. This person's argument was simple. To be saved you have to believe in Jesus Christ and be baptized. It was a variation on the faith alone, grace alone school of thought. My problem with it is that it is not biblical. 

Today's reading opens (Mt. 5:20) 

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

And if we look at the examples Jesus gives they are concrete actions. Jesus doesn't abolish the bar of the Torah he raises it. 

You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 

If you do these things, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven— moral sin

It is not just about right relationship with God. Righteousness also includes right relationships with your brothers and sisters. It is not simply about not physically harming a person. The Bible recognized emotional and psychological abuse long before our culture did, and the penalty is "fiery Gehenna."

The employer who comforts himself by saying, "I haven't done anything illegal", or the parent who justifies their screaming and says, "I never hit my children" forget that as much as God loves us, God still holds us to a higher standard than the civil law.  Love your neighbor is not merely a strong suggestion. It is the second half of the great commandment. 

In this Jubilee Year of mercy, it may be time to look into our hearts, and acknowledge the true seriousness of our sin. We may not have killed anyone, but attitudes towards others may be just as sinful. 

unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.