Hunger for Righteousness

The hunger for Righteousness

Matthew 5:1-2,6 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6(Goodnews) Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully.

Matthew 5:6(AMP) Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

Introduction: Sermon on the Mount is for disciples that will follow Jesus unto the mountain top. Climbing mountain requires effort and determination. Mountain top is a secluded higher level where Jesus Christ opens His mouth to dispense valuable words of God. These words from the Master at the Mountain top is free and essential for disciples who want to make the Kingdom of God. The word of life is free but only available to those with hunger and thirst.

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

I pray for understanding as we study at His feet this week in Jesus name.

Let me share my thought from what I observed the year my wife was ordained as full pastor. My wife looked through ordination criteria for full pastor, and she was qualified and decided to apply at least to fulfil all righteousness. We applied and she went for interview, it was there she was told that she needed to undergo refresher course for Bible college even though she lectures at some Bible college campuses in the mission, and also needed House fellowship retraining. Since both are online, she decided to go through both which cost well over =N=20,000 then. My wife started online lectures and examinations with great seriousness because it wasn’t free. As I watched my wife studying the word of God with seriousness, certain questions came to my mind;

How many of God’s disciples will be as serious as my wife in studying the word of God that is freely given for eternal purpose? How many of God’s disciples will prepare for trials, temptations and examinations of life with the written words of God that are freely given to us? If my wife can study hard to meet ordination criteria that does not guarantee eternal life, why do we neglect or take lightly the study of God’s word with preparation for trials of life to achieve eternal life? If those trainings are free without examination, will it be taken seriously as my wife did?

As I gave those questions deep thought, I truly agree that by human nature, there will be no hunger and thirst for trainings that are free without examination.

The reason why many Christians fall in the time of trials and temptations is because of lack of seriousness ascribed to the written words of God that are free.

There may be some who may just glance or rush through weekly messages on this platform or even forget to read talk less of study because it is free and no written examination or earthly certificate with glamorous presentation with graduation gown and flashing lights of camera.

God will never stop giving His words freely but only those who do hunger and thirsty for His words shall be completely satisfied.

1 Corinthians 2:12(NLT) And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

The spirit of the world teaches human wisdom and management which relates with human behaviour which cannot produce fruits for eternal value but only earthly grandeur such as titles and positions in ministry.

Apostle Paul told the Church at Corinth; 1 Corinthians 2:13 (NLT) When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

The greatest truth was spoken by the Master to the disciples on the Mount which human nature cannot understand.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT) But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

We spent more time during family devotion while studying one of Jesus’s sermon on the Mount where He said we should not render evil for evil, as Jesus abolished the law of Moses, that says; “an eye for an eye”. We spent more time because our human nature tried to argue and reason out impossibility of not retaliating evil done to us. By human nature, we inwardly feel happy for the calamity of those who render evil unto us and outwardly pretend to be sad.

There is need for hunger after righteousness, which is a craving or strong desire to have a right standing with God through His words for spiritual understanding.

A man or woman is either wicked or righteous. Anyone without Christ is wicked. It is either you are for Jesus or against Him. The righteous are those who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and their righteousness is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

A disciple of Jesus Christ who possesses Jesus Christ must thirst, hunger or strongly desire the words of God thereby holding fast to Christ’s righteousness.

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

There is no way we can escape trials and temptations in our lives as we journey towards the kingdom of God. That is why Christians must hunger and thirst after righteousness by studying the word of God for good success.

Joshua 1:8(NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

What are the Benefits of Righteousness?

1️⃣ Deliverance from death.

Proverbs 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Death can be physical, spiritual and eternal. Being spiritually dead precedes physical and eternal death. Spiritual death is being cut off from God. Righteousness delivers from being cut-off from God.

Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

2️⃣ The righteous shall not go hungry but satisfied.

Proverbs 10:3 The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

3️⃣ Righteousness delivers from evil.

Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

4️⃣ The eyes of the Lord watches the Righteous.

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

5️⃣ God enthrones and exalts the Righteous.

Job 36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

6️⃣ The Righteous will not beg for needs.

Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

7️⃣ The Righteous flourishes.

Psalm 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

8️⃣ It shall be well with the Righteous.

Isaiah 3:10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him : for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Finally brethren, Righteousness must be desired by every born-again child of God, this can only be achieved by hunger and thirst after God through His words.

Jesus prayed for His Disciples;

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:17(NLT) Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

To hunger and thirst after righteousness is to pant after the word of God.

I pray that His words will not be a parable unto us in Jesus name.

✋ Maranatha