Urantia Paper 170, Section 3: "In Relation to Righteousness"
(The Urantia Book, 170:3.1–170:3.10)
In this section, Jesus clarifies that the Kingdom of Heaven is deeply linked to righteousness but redefines what righteousness means in contrast to traditional religious views. He challenges legalistic interpretations and elevates righteousness from a system of laws and rituals to a living, spiritual experience of doing God’s will.
1. Righteousness is Not Mere Obedience to Law (170:3.1–3.2)
Traditional View: Legalistic Righteousness
- In Jewish tradition (as well as many world religions), righteousness was often defined by strict obedience to religious laws, rituals, and purity codes.
- It was a behavioral righteousness—measured by external actions rather than internal transformation.
- Many believed that fulfilling the letter of the law (e.g., dietary rules, Sabbath laws, sacrifices) was enough to be counted as righteous.
📖 “The righteousness of any act must be determined by its motive.” (170:3.2)
Jesus’ View: Righteousness as a Heart Condition
✔ Jesus rejected external rule-following as the measure of righteousness.
✔ True righteousness is about the heart—the motive behind actions, not just the actions themselves.
✔ He emphasized spiritual sincerity, meaning a person must act from love, faith, and the desire to do God’s will, not from fear of punishment or social pressure.
📌 Key Lesson:
- Righteousness is not about laws or traditions but about a living relationship with God and others.
2. The Kingdom is More Than Ethical Conduct (170:3.3)
✔ While righteousness involves ethical living, Jesus went beyond morality.
✔ Many religions teach that righteousness is simply avoiding sin or following commandments.
✔ Jesus transformed righteousness into a dynamic experience of divine love and truth.
📖 “Righteousness in the kingdom of heaven means the attainment of the character of the spirit-dominated mortal.” (170:3.3)
What Does This Mean?
- It is not just doing the right thing, but becoming the right kind of person—one who is truly led by the Spirit of God.
- It is not just about avoiding sin, but about actively pursuing divine goodness and love.
- It requires spiritual growth, not just moral discipline.
📌 Key Lesson:
- Righteousness is not merely about being good—it is about being transformed into a spiritual being, led by divine love.
3. The Shift from Law to Spirit (170:3.4)
Traditional View: The Law as Supreme
- The Jewish religious system, as well as other religious traditions, taught that law (Torah, Dharma, Sharia, etc.) was the highest authority.
- People believed righteousness came from strict obedience to religious codes—if you followed them, you were "good"; if not, you were "evil."
Jesus’ View: The Spirit is Supreme
📖 “The righteousness of the kingdom is a quality of divinity that transcends the righteousness of the law.” (170:3.4)
✔ Jesus transcended legalism—the kingdom’s righteousness is higher than the law because it is God’s very own righteousness living in human hearts.
✔ This means people must live by the Spirit, not by rigid religious rules.
📌 Key Lesson:
- Righteousness is not about obeying rules, but about letting divine love and wisdom guide every choice.
4. The New Standard: Love as the Highest Law (170:3.5)
📖 “The righteousness of the kingdom is based on faith, love, and truth.” (170:3.5)
✔ Jesus established a new moral standard:
- Faith – A deep trust in God's goodness.
- Love – Acting from divine compassion rather than duty.
- Truth – A commitment to higher spiritual understanding.
What This Means for Us
- Instead of rules and fear, righteousness is an active relationship with God.
- Instead of external religious obligations, righteousness is internal transformation.
- Instead of being "right" by law, righteousness is expressing divine love in action.
📌 Key Lesson:
- True righteousness is not law-based, but love-based.
5. The Kingdom and the Supreme Desire to Do God's Will (170:3.6–3.7)
📖 “The kingdom of heaven is neither a social nor economic order; it is an exclusively spiritual brotherhood of God-knowing individuals.” (170:3.7)
✔ Many people expected the Kingdom to be a political, economic, or social revolution—but Jesus rejected this.
✔ Instead, the Kingdom is for those who sincerely desire to do God's will.
God’s Will and Righteousness
- Doing God's will is the essence of righteousness.
- God’s will is not about obeying religious laws, but about living in divine love, truth, and service.
- The Kingdom is not a place—it is a state of being where God's will is supreme.
📌 Key Lesson:
- Righteousness means not just believing in God, but actively seeking to live according to His will.
6. A Higher Righteousness is Required (170:3.8)
📖 “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom.” (Matthew 5:20, quoted in 170:3.8)
What Was Wrong with the Pharisees’ Righteousness?
- The Pharisees were the most religiously devout people of Jesus' time, yet he criticized them because their righteousness was legalistic, external, and self-righteous.
- Their faith was about rules, status, and outward appearances, rather than inner transformation and love.
What Kind of Righteousness is Required?
✔ A righteousness of faith, love, and sincerity.
✔ A righteousness that flows from inner transformation, not rule-following.
✔ A righteousness that exceeds mere religious obligation and is rooted in the Spirit.
📌 Key Lesson:
- The righteousness of the Kingdom is a matter of the heart, not just actions.
7. Summary: What Jesus Taught About Righteousness
| Traditional View (Religious Legalism) | Jesus’ View (Spiritual Righteousness) |
|---|---|
| Following religious laws = righteousness | Motives and intentions = righteousness |
| External rule-keeping | Inner transformation by the Spirit |
| Moral perfectionism | Love, faith, and truth as guides |
| Fear of punishment | Joyful desire to do God’s will |
| Judgmental and exclusive | Compassionate and inclusive |
Final Takeaways
✔ Righteousness is not about external law, but about inner spiritual transformation.
✔ True righteousness is measured by faith, love, and a hunger for truth.
✔ The Kingdom of God is not political, social, or institutional—it is a state of being where God's will is supreme.
📌 Reflection Questions:
- Do I focus more on rules or on spiritual growth?
- Do I seek to appear righteous, or do I truly hunger for truth and love?
- Am I living in the Spirit, or am I relying on external religious expectations?
Michael Of Nebadon
