May 9
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT PART 7
BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
-Matthew 5:6 states, … Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled …
ARE YOU HUNGRY? ARE YOU THIRSTY? Well … Sure you are!
-We are all hungry and thirsty from the moment we are born. We are hungry to know our true identity. We are hungry to know
where we came from and where we are headed. WE ARE HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS! Blessed are those who recognize what
they are hungry for. Many who are hungry for life’s answers do not see their need for God’s righteousness. They
know they are hungry and thirsty to discover the true meaning of this life, but many do not know what it is that will bring
true inner peace and happiness ( the state of being fully satisfied ). The blessing that Jesus spoke of is not just being
hungry and thirsty, for we all seek to be happy ( fully satisfied ) from the moment we are born. The blessing is in HUNGERING
AND THIRSTING FOR GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS!
-What does it mean or imply to be hungry and thirsty? The phrase, “who hunger and thirst”, means: intense desire,
even as a man starving for natural food. He must receive sustenance or he will die. This verse shows the poverty, emptiness,
and complete lack of God’s righteousness within our lives. WE MUST BE AWAKENED TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!
-The word "righteous" or "righteousness" simply means: that which is right according to God’s standards, conformity
to all that God commands or appoints. In and of ourselves, we are void of God’s righteousness. That is why we must hunger
and thirst for it. God's righteousness comes to us through faith. It is imputed to us by grace through faith. Remember …
Abraham believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness ( Genesis 15:6 ) …
-Faith in Christ and Him crucified gives us the righteousness which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith: ( Philippians 3:9 ) … As we previously stated, this righteousness ( God’s righteousness )
is imputed ( attributed or ascribed ) to us upon placing our faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is
referred to as justification by faith ( being declared righteous or right in the eyes of God ). The next step in our Christian
walk is that of sanctification by faith ( being made righteous or right in the eyes of God ), and is to be seen as a process.
As we go through the sanctification process, in essence, we are BECOMING WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DECLARED TO BE. In order for us
to experience justification or sanctification we must place our faith in Christ and Him crucified. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY! To
see the difference between God’s righteousness and man’s self-righteousness read Luke 18:9-14.
-As we hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness, we are then filled. IT IS A PROMISE!!! As a matter of fact, we
are filled, and filled, and filled, and filled. Remember … Our salvation is a process ( justification: the salvation
of our spirit; sanctification: the salvation of our soul; and glorification: the salvation of our body ).
-God’s imputed righteousness is THE ONLY THING that can completely satisfy our hunger and thirst. O WHAT A GLORIOUS
PROCESS OF BEING FILLED WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF OUR FATHER!
-WE SHALL BE FILLED!-
