CENTRAL THOUGHT
A believer who is heaven bound must continually thirst and hunger after righteousness.
HYMN: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS
TEXT: Matt. 5:6;
Prov. 14:32-34; Matt. 6:31-33
INTRODUCTION
Righteousness has to do with having a right standing with God. This can only be achieved through accepting that which Christ did for us by dying for us on the cross of Calvary. “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” (2Cor.5:21). Man’s righteousness cannot meet God’s demand, all our righteousness are as filthy rags (Isa.64:6). In the world of today, righteousness is fast becoming an issue almost going extinct in our modern society. In some instances, it is even difficult to distinguish between believers and unbelievers by the way they speak, comport themselves and dress etc. The Lord knows those that are His and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2Tim.2:19). Therefore, for us to live lives pleasing and acceptable to God, we must earnestly thirst and hunger after righteousness. In the first part of this study, we examined what righteousness is, and God’s expectations concerning those He has imputed righteousness. In this concluding part, we focus on what it means to thirst and hunger after righteousness and finally the blessing of living righteously before God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To understand what to thirst and hunger after righteousness means.
- To identify the lifestyle of someone who thirsts and hungers after righteousness.
- To highlight reasons for thirsting and pursuing righteousness.
- To identify the blessings of thirsting after righteousness.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THIRST AND HUNGER AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS?
Ps. 42:1-3; 63:1; Matt. 5:6
Righteousness is having a right standing with God. Thus, righteousness enables us to stand before God blameless without any hinderance or feeling of guilt. It presents us approved by God. Such a person is blessed and the Lord does not impute any iniquity to him. (Ps.32:1-2). This righteousness is appropriated into our lives because of the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Righteousness is the nature of God and so when we become His children, we must be partakers of this His divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2Pet 1:4). Our God is righteous through the ages. “Righteous are thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgements. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful (Ps 119:137-138). As God’s children we must thirst and hunger for this attribute of God’s nature. We know that as humans, we need water and food to survive. When one is thirsty, one goes all out to satisfy this need. The same also is the case of hunger. We also note that our thirst and hunger cannot be satisfied once and for all at once. Thirst and hunger are appetites that return frequently and call for fresh satisfaction. We must earnestly desire these on a regular basis even “as the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Ps.42:1-2). Our desire for God’s nature which is righteousness should be as the thirst and hunger for physical nourishment of the body. God in His mercy has promised that the thirsty and hungry souls shall be filled.
Q2. HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THE LIFESTYLE OF SOMEONE THIRSTY AND HUNGRY AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS?
The righteousness of God imputed to us should be evident to all. This should manifest in all that we do and the way we live on a daily basis. The lifestyle of one thirsty and hungry for righteousness should be seen in the virtues that characterize his entire being. Some of these virtues are discussed below:
A. Humility (Matt.18:3-4; Phil.2:5-9)
Christ who is our perfect example exhibited humility all through His ministry here on earth. He also taught about the need for humility. This He demonstrated by bringing a little child into the midst of the disciples. God expects us to humble ourselves before Him that he can exalt us in due time (1 Pet.5:6). We must always remember that the path to greatness starts with being humble and totally submitting our lives into the hand of God like little children.
B. Generosity and Mercy (Ps. 37:21b; Micah 6:8)
The righteous man gives. He understands that God gave him all, and so does not hesitate to give back to God and show mercy to those in need around him. God gave us His dearest and His best even when we did not deserve it. His love for the world moved Him to give. We His dear children ought to give to others. This should be motivated by our love for God and fellow men.
C. Strong appetite for God’s word (1 Pet. 2:2; Col. 3:16)
A sincere desire for God’s word and daily studying and meditating on it should be a characteristic lifestyle of the righteous man.
In 1 Pet.2:2, we are urged to desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby. The word of God must dwell richly in us and it must continually be in our mouths. Studying and meditating on the word of God will keep us and continue to lead us in the path of righteousness.
D. Wisdom (Ps. 37:30; Prov. 10:31-32) Only the words of wisdom proceed from the mouth of the righteous. This implies that those around him will benefit from the divine wisdom God has given him. He is a counselor to his neighbors; his mouth speaks solution to problems, answers to questions. The lips of the righteous knows what is acceptable and so always cause the hearers to receive that which will bring calm to the situations they may be going through.
Q3. WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THIRSTING AND PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS?
God’s desire and instruction to all believers is to live righteously here on earth. This is the only acceptable option for a successful Christian life. This cannot be compromised for whatever reason. Although there is no alternative lifestyle for a Christian than righteous living, it is pertinent that we must thirst and pursue righteousness for the following reasons:
A. Important part of kingdom lifestyle (Rom. 14:17; 1 John 3:6-10; 1 Pet. 2:24)
Every kingdom has particular guidelines governing their domain. These must of necessity be exhibited by all the individuals in the area. Our God is righteous and righteousness is His nature. As members of His kingdom, our lifestyle should portray this attribute. The kingdom of God is beyond what we see with our physical eyes. It is beyond our immediate environment.” For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom.14:17). Note that the bible categorically states that the kingdom of God is righteousness. We must therefore thirst and hunger after righteousness. As believers, redeemed by the blood of the Lamp, we have been made joint heirs with Christ and are enjoined to be righteous even as He (Christ) is righteous (1 John 3:7).
B. Essential for an effective personal communication and walk with God (Ps. 34:17-19; 37:23-25; 146;8, Prov. 11:4; 28:1) The righteous man can boldly approach the throne of grace to help in time of need. The Lord will never neglect the cry of the righteous. This gives him the assurance that his request will be granted. The Lord is always ready to have a sweet communion with the righteous and to deliver him from all his afflictions. The steps of the righteous is ordered by the Lord and God leads him in the paths of righteousness, thus all the decisions he makes are right because they are in consonance with the will of God.
C. Righteousness exalts (Prov. 14:32-34)
Those who thirst and hunger after righteousness will surely be exalted. They will experience upliftment in all areas of their lives. God says “them that honor me I will honor and they that despise me are lightly esteemed. (1 Sam.2:30b). When God exalts a righteous man, no power can pull him down.
D. Fruitfulness (Ps. 1:1-3; 92:12-15)
Thirsting and pursuing righteousness draws us closer to God and through this we learn to abide in Him. It is only when we abide in Him and He in us that we can bear fruit, for without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5). The righteous is not only fruitful but he is prosperous in all areas of life. If we desire therefore to be fruitful and prosperous as believers, then we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt.6:33). The righteous also flourishes and is full of life. Even at old age, they shall be fat, and still flourishing. (Ps.92:12-14).
E. Open heavens and open doors (Matt.3:16-17; Rev.3:8)
Just as the heavens opened to Jesus after His baptism and He got the Father’s approval, so the righteous will enjoy open heavens and get heaven’s approval over his life. God will open unto the righteous His good treasures, the heavens will give rain to his land in due season (Deut.28:12). There will always be refreshing upon him. God has set open doors before the righteous, which no man can shut. These open doors lead to godliness, divine health, prosperity etc. This makes one who thirsts and hunger after righteousness the example of a man God has blessed.
F. Essential in spiritual warfare (Eph.6:14; 2Cor.6:7, 2Cor.10:4-6; Acts 19:13-16) The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. If we must access this weaponry, then we must deny ungodliness and worldly lust and live soberly, righteously, and ungodly in this present world (Titus 2:12). To remain victorious, we need to put on the breast plate of righteousness to be able to stand against the devil. A breastplate ordinally is armor worn to protect the upper front of the body. This part contains vital internal organs of the body. Our righteousness serves to protect us from the fiery darts of the devil that is looking for whom to devour. It is only the righteous that can put on the whole armor of God, in order to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand. (Eph 6:13). The seven sons of Sceva thought they could engage in a spiritual warfare without being equipped. Little did they know that the victory in spiritual warfare lies in being equipped with the weapons of righteousness.
Q4. WHAT ARE SOME BLESSINGS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS?
“Blessings crown the head of the righteous” (Prov 10:6a NIV). Righteous living brings about a lot of blessings to the individual. Some of the blessings are discussed below:
A. Peace (Isa. 32:17-18)
The righteous will experience peace in all areas because the prince of peace is his anchor. The effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever. The righteous shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and insure dwelling, and quiet resting places. The righteous has both peace with God (Rom 5:1) and the peace of God. (Phil 4:7).
B. Protection (Ps. 91:1-4)
The righteous dwells in the secret place of the most high, therefore abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knoweth them that trust in Him. (Nah.1:7). The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe (Prov 18:10). The righteous enjoys God’s protection round about him; therefore, he does not live in fear.
C. Provision (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:31-33)
The righteous has God as his source, so he continually looks up to God because he has assurance from God that he will never be forsaken nor his children beg for bread. God will supply all the needs of the righteous according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus ( Phil 4:19). We must not worry about the necessities of life. Our central focus should be on seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, then God will fulfill His own part of the bargain by providing and meeting all our needs.
D. Long Life (Ps. 91:16) Long life is the heritage of the righteous. He will live a fulfilled life that will impact those around him. The Lord will preserve the life of the righteous to see his children’s children.
E. Eternal Life (Matt. 25:46)
The righteous is assured of eternal life by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The blessings of righteous living go beyond our lives here on earth. It has eternal rewards.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Christ who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. God’s nature is righteousness. Therefore, as His children, we must conform to this image and divine nature of our God who has delivered us from darkness and made us righteous in Him. To live continually unto God, we must earnestly thirst and hunger after righteousness, and God has assured us that we shall be filled. We must thirst and pursue after righteousness on a daily basis.
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Thirst and hunger after righteousness.
Ps. 42:1-3; 63:1; Matt. 5:6
Tuesday: Lifestyle of one thirst and hunger after righteousness.
Matt. 18:3-4; Ps. 37:21b; Mic. 6:8; Phil. 2:5-9
Wednesday: Lifestyle of one thirst and hunger after righteousness.
1 Pet. 2:2; Col. 3:16; Ps. 37:10; Prov. 14:32-32
Thursday: Why thirst and pursue righteousness?
Rom. 14:17; 1 Jn. 3:6-10; 1 Pet. 2:24; Prov. 14:32-34
Friday: Why thirst and pursue righteousness?
Ps. 34:17-19; 37:23-25; Prov. 11:14; Ps. 1:1-3; 92:12-14
Saturday: Blessings of righteous living.
Ps. 91:1-4; 16; 37:25; Is. 32:17-18; Matt. 6:31-33