Hunger And Thirst
For
Righteousness
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
by Dan Doriani
Meekness contrasts with the self-assertion that is born of
selfishness. Because the meek know their spiritual poverty and mourn it, they
refuse to exalt themselves.
The language of hunger and thirst is well known in Scripture.
But since our quest for righteousness always falls short, we think next of the righteousness of Christ,
bestowed when we believe in Him. This is justification.
Dear reader, do you hunger for righteousness? Do you pursue holiness?
Personally? In society?
Jesus taught that good people don’t go to heaven because their pride
keeps them from admitting their need for a Savior.
The first four beatitudes all describe the needs of a disciple. “Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” is the
last in the series (Matthew 5:3–6).
Jesus first said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven” (verse 3).
To be “poor in spirit” is to know
one’s spiritual neediness and dependence on God (Psalm 34:6; Zephaniah 3:12).
This beatitude leads to the second.
The “poor in spirit”… “mourn” their poverty (Matthew 5:4).
They “mourn” their own
sin first, then “mourn” all sin.
This is a blessed mourning, since God will comfort those who “mourn” over sin.
Psalm 119:136 says, “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep
your law.”
James also calls for mourning. “Cleanse your hands, you sinners. … Mourn and weep” (James 4:8–9).
The second beatitude leads to the third: those who know
their spiritual poverty and mourn it will be meek.
To be meek is the opposite of arrogance, jealousy, and selfish
ambition (2 Corinthians 10:1; James 3:13–14; 1 Peter 3:15–16).
Meekness contrasts with the self-assertion that is born of
selfishness. Because the meek know their spiritual poverty and mourn it, they
refuse to exalt themselves.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” is then the
pivotal beatitude (Matthew 5:6).
If disciples know their sin and weakness, they will also ask God to
meet their need for righteousness.
“Hunger and thirst” is a metaphor
that doesn’t resonate today as it did in Jesus’ day, when food and water were
scarce and people were often hungry and thirsty.
In our culture, food and water are plentiful, so we miss the urgency
Jesus intended.
Hungry, thirsty people work hard, urgently, to gain food.
To hunger and thirst for righteousness, then, means we should urgently
pursue righteousness.
“Righteousness” has
several senses in Scripture.
Paul emphasized the legal
righteousness that we receive
through the atoning work of Christ.
That is certainly present in Matthew. He calls Jesus a “ransom
for many” (Matthew 20:28).
And he describes the atonement itself (Matthew
27:38–46).
But in Matthew 5, Jesus primarily describes the personal righteousness
of disciples, who put aside murder, anger, and adultery.
They give to oppressors and love their enemies (verses 22–48).
Thirsty disciples also pursue the mercy, purity, and peacemaking of
the next few beatitudes (verses 7–9).
The language of hunger and thirst is well known in Scripture.
God says, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you
who have no money, come, buy and eat! … You will delight in the richest of
fare” (Isaiah 55:1–2).
Jesus offers, “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes
in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
To hunger for righteousness is to yearn for God’s rule in our lives (Matthew 6:33).
It is to have a thirst for God’s Word and for the company of the godly.
In Scripture, righteousness has several aspects.
First, there is the personal righteousness, which we
just stressed. This hunger leads us to uproot our sin by the power of the Holy
Spirit and be-come more like Jesus. This
is sanctification.
But since our quest for righteousness always falls short, we think next of the righteousness of Christ,
bestowed when we believe in Him. This is justification.
Justification confers
legal righteousness, so believers can stand before God the Judge on the last
day.
Justification wipes away all sin and guilt, whatever our level
of sanctification.
Third, disciples long for social righteousness, for
God’s cleansing of society.
Hunger for righteousness leads disciples to promote God’s cause in
business, education, politics, and more.
Further, we look to the day of Jesus’ return, when He will set
creation right, Satan will be overthrown, and God’s righteousness will cover
the earth.
Or are you satisfied with a nibble of righteousness—a few moments of
justice and love?
Do you have a passionless routine, a dull, dutiful life, where you fit
in and drift along, with the years passing like a lazy summer day?
Real disciples yearn for God’s righteousness and pursue it. I hope you
do, and so reach for the righteousness of our Lord.
What will you say when you stand before God?
Jesus taught that good people don’t go to heaven because their pride
keeps them from admitting their need for a Savior.
The only ones who go to heaven are those who see their sinfulness
before a holy God and cry out to Him for mercy.
Are you hoping to get into heaven by your goodness?
Jesus did not
call “the righteous”!
Your hope must be in God’s grace and mercy toward sinners through
Jesus Christ.
Express your trust in Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for you.
Why not receive God's gift of salvation and become His
child?
Open your heart and say this prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins
have separated me from You.
I
am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past
sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You. I receive Your free gift of
salvation.
Please
forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I
believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the
dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I
invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from
this day forward. Thank You that according to Your Word, I am now born again,
has eternal life, and I am now Your child.
Please
send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of
my life. I promise to study Your Word - the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
If you have just put your trust in Jesus Christ,
you have been born into God’s family.
As a spiritual baby, you need to grow by feeding
on God’s Word – the Bible (1 Peter 2:2).
You must have a good modern translation Bible
and begin prayerfully reading it. Start in the New Testament, such as the
Gospel of John or Paul’s letters to the Ephesians.
As you read, ask two questions: “What are You, Lord?” “What do You
want me to do?”
Also, you need to join a Christian fellowship
where the Bible is taught and where God is truly worshiped.
God bless you as you begin your new life with
Him!
"WHOSOEVER
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,"
(Romans
10:13).
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Oh, the Blood of Jesus
Author: Anonymous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWdRsinKm2YBluegrassShilohWorshipMusic
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lyrics
1 Oh, the blood of Jesus,
Oh, the blood of Jesus,
Oh, the blood of Jesus,
it must not suffer loss.
Oh, the blood of Jesus,
Oh, the blood of Jesus,
it must not suffer loss.
2 Oh, the word of Jesus,
Oh, the word of Jesus,
Oh, the word of Jesus,
it cleanses white as snow.
Oh, the word of Jesus,
Oh, the word of Jesus,
it cleanses white as snow.
3 Oh, the love of Jesus,
Oh, the love of Jesus,
Oh, the love of Jesus,
it makes His body whole.
Oh, the love of Jesus,
Oh, the love of Jesus,
it makes His body whole.
There
is power, power, power, power,
Wonder working pow'r,
In the blood, in the blood, of the Lamb, of the Lamb,
There is power, power, power, power,
Wonder working pow'r,
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
Wonder working pow'r,
In the blood, in the blood, of the Lamb, of the Lamb,
There is power, power, power, power,
Wonder working pow'r,
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
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