Those Who Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness
By Aaron Beard

Jesus came to a world that was starving when it came to spiritual nourishment; therefore, continuing the "Beatitudes" in His sermon on the mount, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6).  Jesus had previously spoken about those who were spiritually empty by saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit."  Those who have emptied themselves spiritually find themselves starving for fulfillment in God.  The word Jesus uses that is translated hunger is the Greek word "peinao."  It is the same word that was used to describe the state of Jesus as he was fasting forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).  This word is not used to describe some quick hunger pain that makes one's stomach growl.  This is an intense hunger.  This word also is not ascribed to the hunger pains that come and go quickly but rather a continual hungering.  One who is characterized by this intense continual hunger recognizes his extreme need for and seeks the only nourishment that can properly fulfill this hunger.

Hungering and Thirsting For a Righteous Life

Jesus identifies the focus and fulfillment of this person's hunger as "righteousness;" but what exactly does this mean.  One who hungers and thirsts for righteousness hungers and thirsts for the righteousness of a lifestyle that is driven by God.  after commanding to put off the old man, Paul says, "...Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."  (Eph. 4:29).  It is at this point where the pursuit for righteousness begins.  Simply put, righteousness is doing what is right.  I John 3:7 says, "...He does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous."  The type of person Jesus is speaking of is one who is known to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."  (I Tim. 6:11).

Hungering and Thirsting For the Righteousness of God

One who hungers and thirsts for righteousness not only hungers and thirsts for the life led by righteousness but also for the righteousness that only God can impart.  It was for this righteousness that Jesus was sent to this world and died on the cross.  II Cor. 5:21 says, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  When one submits in faithful obedience to God, the sins that were once on his record are washed away and God writes "righteous" on his record.  Paul spoke of some who sought righteousness based on their own merit instead of seeking the righteousness of God that comes only by faithful submission to His will.  Romans 10:3 says, "For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God."  This attitude can never be true of one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness.

Hungering and Thirsting For the Presence of God

One who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will also hunger and thirst for the presence of God every moment of their lives.  This attitude is seen well in David through many of his writings found in the book of Psalms.  His mindset is seen clearly in Psalms 42:1-2 which says, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before God?"  One who yearns for righteousness will yearn for the presence of God always because God is the supreme manifestation of righteousness.  Speaking of the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul writes, "For in it  the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith..." (Rom. 1:17).

Feeding Your Spiritual Appetite

What things you consume to fulfill your physical hunger is very important.  If every time someone gets hungry they fulfill their hunger with junk food, cokes, and candy, their physical health will quickly diminish.  The same thing holds true with our spiritual hunger.  Paul instructed Timothy to..."...Be ... nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.  But reject profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness."  (I Tim. 4:6-7).  To be properly nourished in the words of faith and doctrine, we must be willing to intake the things that are harder to swallow as well as those which are pleasant to the ears.  Some people try to fulfill their spiritual hunger with such things as "feel good religion," emotionalism in worship, and social activities; however, when these run dry they find themselves still starving spiritually.

One great quality of true hunger is that it does not go away until it is properly satisfied.  Jesus said of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that they would be filled.  John wrote of people such as this by saying, "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore... for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters..." (Rev. 7:16-17).  Will it not be a wonderful day when we finally enter Heaven and be surrounded on every side by the fullness of righteousness.  Because of this "we...look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."  (I Peter 3:13)

How much do we want righteousness?  Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness as much as a man dying of starvation hungers for food?  Do we long for the day when our righteousness will be finally fulfilled and we will be with the Lord forever in eternity?

-- Aaron Beard