Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
I have been reading John MacArthur’s book this summer on Revelation, “Because The Time is Near.” That sentence he stated about righteousness made me stop reading for a moment and really think about what it means to “crave righteousness.” How do you define that? What does it really mean?
Righteousness is a lifestyle. It does not mean following a set of rules and traditions– that is legalism. Instead, it is living in complete obedience to Christ, having faithful perseverance, and putting Him first above anything else. Righteousness has to do with attitudes and intents of the heart, not just conduct. It has to do with the character. It distinguishes a true Christian – a Christ follower, instead of following the world’s culture and philosophy.
Romans 12:1-2 is a good description of what righteousness means: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable.”
When one is thirsty and dehydrated, the tongue will stick to the roof of your mouth due to lack of saliva. You have an intense desire, strong craving, and an intensely focused pursuit to find satisfaction from drinking Gatorade or perhaps Coconut Water, to replace the electrolytes lost in your body. It is with that same kind of intensity and passion that the believer needs to pursue righteousness.
Do I have that same amount of passion in pursuing righteousness? Do I crave the approval of God more than anyone else?
John MacArthur has said: “If you claim a relationship with Christ but you aren’t hungering and thirsting for righteousness, you need to honestly question whether you know Him.”
Jesus promised fulfillment in Matthew 5:6b when He said, “for they shall be satisfied.” Does that mean you will get that promotion, long life, perfect marriage, perfect children, and perfect friends, from pursuing righteousness? No. So what then? If you seek to have a truly Christ honoring lifestyle, it starts with your heart that is changed from the inside out. But you have to want it. It takes passion. It takes determination.
Craving Righteousness Requires:
- Eagerly pursuing a consistent life of honoring Christ in all things.
- Priority of spending time in prayer and giving thanks to God for all of the many blessings He has given.
- Righteousness holds God’s will to be at the highest level of importance, producing His power in our lives (Matthew 7:21).
- No longer seeking praise first from your spouse, friends, fellow employees, but seeking God’s approval above anyone else. Ouch. But that is what craving righteousness is all about.
- Know yourself, accept yourself, and try to be yourself to the glory of God.
- Confess sin immediately be it anger, bitterness, envy, lack of contentment, grumbling, gossip-whatever it is, squelch it quickly.
- Having meekness over pride. It requires power under control.
- Showing forgiveness and mercy to others as God has shown mercy to you (Matthew 9:13).
Right now I am sitting at my computer, staring at the screen, and rereading these words. My arms are bent, elbows are on my desk, and my chin is resting on my hands. I have such a long way to go.
We all need compliments, don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I so appreciate your encouraging comments about my women’s devotional blog. I need them. Keep them coming please! But we should not crave and only live for the applause of others, as John Piper has said: “Make much of God instead of wanting others to make much of us.”
We can enjoy being appreciated but not live to crave it. That is the difference.
Acts of kindness can change someone’s whole day with just a loving and spontaneous kind word or compliment. That is how we lift each other up by making much of others rather than merely ourselves. Looking at our glass half full instead of half empty. Again, this is yet another area where I have a lot of work to do.
As Paul said when he faced death calmly in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearing.” Dear Jesus come quickly!
How can you be more effective today for Christ than you were yesterday?
The same passionate drive and ambitions that are needed in winning at sports, exceling in a sales job, being an effective leader, or maybe just wanting to be the best at something, is what is likewise needed in a Christian pursuing righteousness. When we are spiritually hungry God feeds us through His Word. But we must read it in order for us to know Him. He gives to all the invitation: “Come everyone who thirsts . . . Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he may be near.” Isaiah 55:1, 6).
Matthew 5:6 NIV declares: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Make craving God’s righteousness your passion and thirst today.
Listen to Mercy Me’s song “Word of God Speak.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74