To continue looking at our beatitudes this week, we are going to look at hunger and thirst. Hunger and thirst are our body's way of telling us that we are empty. Our natural response to our physical hunger and thirst is to seek food and water to satisfy our body's need. In the same way, each of us has an inner longing that can only be filled by God. It is a place in us that God placed there for Him.
" Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Our inner longing for righteousness can only be satisfied by Christ's righteousness. We cannot be filled with righteousness if we are filled with self. Throughout the Scriptures God emphasizes that the one who longs for Him with all his heart will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13). As we crave righteousness, we will repent of our sin, and God will remove it from us. Our selfishness will be replaced by the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit will make us to be like Christ.
Righteousness is not to be taken lightly, nor is it easily attained. Holy God does not give His righteousness to people indiscriminately. He gives it to those who know that they cannot live without it. Our desire for personnel righteousness must be powerful, all-consuming, dominating everything we do. Pursuing righteousness means that we value the opinion of God far more than we treasure the opinions of people!
Righteousness is also not merely an absence of sin. It is allowing God to fill us with His holiness. It is being like Christ. Jesus is our model of One who sought God's righteousness first, and then the Father glorified Him! Friends, we are not only to seek the kingdom of God, but we are also to pursue His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). If we will hunger and thirst for God's righteousness, we will be satisfied!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
" Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Our inner longing for righteousness can only be satisfied by Christ's righteousness. We cannot be filled with righteousness if we are filled with self. Throughout the Scriptures God emphasizes that the one who longs for Him with all his heart will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13). As we crave righteousness, we will repent of our sin, and God will remove it from us. Our selfishness will be replaced by the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit will make us to be like Christ.
Righteousness is not to be taken lightly, nor is it easily attained. Holy God does not give His righteousness to people indiscriminately. He gives it to those who know that they cannot live without it. Our desire for personnel righteousness must be powerful, all-consuming, dominating everything we do. Pursuing righteousness means that we value the opinion of God far more than we treasure the opinions of people!
Righteousness is also not merely an absence of sin. It is allowing God to fill us with His holiness. It is being like Christ. Jesus is our model of One who sought God's righteousness first, and then the Father glorified Him! Friends, we are not only to seek the kingdom of God, but we are also to pursue His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). If we will hunger and thirst for God's righteousness, we will be satisfied!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
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