For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 5:20
Is it really possible to be more righteous than the Pharisees?
That question becomes even more important when we read 1 John 3:7: “The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
God has a very high standard. Nothing less than the righteousness of Jesus Himself!
By human effort, this would be impossible. But through the grace of God, it becomes a reality.
1 Peter 2:24 reveals the foundation of this truth: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.”
Jesus did not only forgive sin, but He made a way for us to be free from its power and to live righteously.
This kind of life is not produced by striving or religious performance. It is the result of what Christ has already finished! Through His death and resurrection, a new life becomes available to us!
That is why we can say with confidence, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). True righteousness flows from transformation, not effort.
It begins with repentance. Turning to God and receiving forgiveness. It continues through baptism, which signifies the removal of the old sinful nature.
And it is sustained by the gift of the Holy Spirit, through who God writes His law on our hearts.
To be righteous like Christ is to be born again and to live by the Spirit. As Galatians 5:16–18 teaches, when we walk in the Spirit, we no longer fulfil the desires of the flesh. The Spirit leads us into a life that reflects God’s nature.
Righteousness, then, is not something we achieve. It is something we receive and live out through a transformed life in Christ. (HEIN SWARTS)
He knows
Five years ago, I answered a call I did not fully understand. It was not clarity that moved me. It was obedience.
With one-year-old twins, a full business to run, and a life deeply rooted in ministry alongside Matt, I enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. I knew, somewhere deep inside, that God was about to stretch me beyond what felt reasonable.
I did not necessarily dream of preaching. But I knew this: if He asked, I wanted to be ready.
And so, the four years began.
They were full. Overwhelming at times. Beautiful in ways I only understand now. I could not take much away from my family, so my nights became my offering. Long, quiet, often lonely hours of studying, writing, and preparing.
There were moments I questioned everything, especially when I had to redo Apologetics, which cost me another three months. I remember thinking, Lord, surely this is unnecessary. But even that had purpose. He wastes nothing.
In April 2025, I was ordained as a Pastor. I had finished the degree, reached the milestone, and exhaled. I thought that was the culmination of the journey. It was not.
Two months later, in the quiet, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Beloved, all that training, all those nights… I am going to need you to write a book.” I did what most of us do when God says something that feels too big.
I hesitated.
Me? A book? Lord… speak again. And He did. Months later, during a powerful moment in church, a word was spoken over me:
“Out of your pen and your writing will come testimony and encouragement to the world.”
I remember thinking, almost laughing, Jesus… You let me study for four years… for writing?
So I started small. I began blogging. And it has been beautiful. Some pieces felt as if they blessed me more than anyone else. Others reached hearts in ways I could never have orchestrated. But deep down, I knew… this was not all He was asking.
Then He gave me the title of the book. And with it, the knowing: this would cost me something, or everything!
Writing this book has been one of the most painful and healing journeys of my life. It was not written in one sitting. It was written in surrender. In tears. In moments where I had to revisit places I thought I had long buried.
Chapters were rewritten through sobbing prayers. Memories resurfaced. Childhood wounds were exposed.
But in that exposure, there was healing. What the enemy meant to keep hidden in pain, God brought into the light with purpose.
This book is not polished perfection. It is raw. It is real. It is redeemed. And now, after months of pressing through, it is ready.
This past week, it went for publication. I can finally say: this is a living testimony of His goodness, His mercy, and His perfect plan. A plan that rarely makes sense in the moment, but always reveals its beauty in time. The book will officially launch on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
To those who have read my blogs, who have waited, who have encouraged me while I was still waiting on Him, I see you. I am grateful for you. I love you.
Thank you for allowing me the time to receive from Him what needed to be written, and to withhold what was not meant to harm but to heal.
My prayer is simple: When you read this book, may His presence meet you. May He reveal Himself to you in a way that is personal, real, and undeniable.
Because this was never just about writing a book.
It was about becoming known… and helping others discover that they are too.
Enjoy it! I love you! (VICKY LUDICK)