Do you hunger and thirst for Righteousness?
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Jesus calls those hungry and thirsty for righteousness blessed. Who are these who hunger and thirst for righteousness? Believers are created in righteousness and holiness. We are born again as righteous, there is a need to grow, therefore the need to hunger and thirst for it. A born again believer needs to grow from milk stage to meat stage and further, everyday.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
First, a putting off is required before you put on. There needs to be a renewal of the spirit of the mind daily! What needs to be put on? The breastplate of faith and love. We are soldiers wearing the armour of God after all.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Both God and Satan fill hearts.
What does Satan fill our heart with? Lies.
“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” Acts 5:3
What does God fill our hearts with? Truth.
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
The Spirit of Truth fills us with the word of truth to live out the truth in Jesus mighty name.
Righteousness is actioning the Word of God in life. It is one thing to be right, another to do what the Word of God instructs. For e.g. Water Baptism, by immersion to a mature person, is an act of righteousness. It is the word of God. All those who understand and decide to follow Jesus are Water Baptised. When we follow the Word of God in our lives, we will grow in righteousness.
“And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Matthew 3:15
Abraham believed and he was counted righteous by God. Abraham’s belief was not devoid of obedience to God’s Word. Satan believes in God too, difference is, he did not obey.
And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us. (Deuteronomy 6:25)
Christians are called to be doers of the Word of God. It’s not about adhering to a set of rules, but loving God that will enable the rules in our lifestyle. Love enables us to obey. Never forget, Jesus came to fulfil the law and prophets.
The world understands right living to a level, but nothing about righteousness. Righteousness comes from God. The knowledge of good and evil, right and wrong, is already known by man because of what happened in the garden of Eden. God have mercy on the seared consciences of today!
God will fill anyone who seeks His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). The question is, how hungry are you? When you are hungry you eat. You’re full, physically. If you are not hungry you won’t be able to eat much. Food will be wasted. As sin increases in the world and love grows cold, Christians are losing their hunger for the word of God and being distracted by family (earthly), fun and fashions. It’s becoming more about pleasing men, rather than pleasing God.
If you love your father and mother or son or daughter more than Jesus, you are not worthy of God (Matthew 10:37). What is happening to families today? They aren’t training their children in the way of God. Parents are scared of losing their children. Children are carried away by the latest gadgets because of the lack of discipline at home. It takes praying parents to keep the child in control. It is God who controls. Children are a gift from God, shall we trust God with our children?
What’s happening in church? Modernity that is worldly, not Godly. Gods word doesn’t need a salesperson or “expert”. The House of God needs people filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are in the last days. The end is near. Redeem the time to get right, seek His kingdom, and righteousness. Nothing can ever fill or satisfy us, but Jesus. Jesus is coming. Prepare yourself to meet God.