What Makes You Hungry or Thirsty?

What Makes You Hungry or Thirsty?
from “Jesus’ Attitudes of Happiness” Series

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall inherit the earth.”
(NIV)

“How blessed are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied.”
(NEB)

“God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.”
(NLT)

The great Bible scholar, author, and preacher A.W. Tozer said,
“I thirst to be thirsty for you.”

What Is Righteousness?

1. It is right behavior. The Bible call this sanctification. It includes both the absence of sin and the presence of good acts such as justice.
2. Right standing before God, i.e. being declared righteous, is a legal concept (being declared not guilty / justification).
3. It is right relationship with God, others, and ourselves.

Our hunger and thirst can get distorted:

1. When we desire to behave rightly and forget God. We end up trying to please others.
   Romans 12:2
2. Hungering for a right standing becomes distorted when our belief is based on our own righteousness. This distortion produces hypocrites.
   Ephesians 2:8-10
3. Hungering for right relationships with others can be distorted to a desire for significance and closeness.

The source of our hunger and thirst cannot be this world.
Matthew 16:24-26

Our hunger and thirst for righteousness can only be satisfied when we are in relationship with Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21

To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to have a growing passion for Jesus.

How to get there:

1. Passion requires focus. Philippians 3:14
2. Our passion centers only on God’s approval. John 5:44
3. Our passion must be regularly rekindled. Leviticus 6:13   2 Timothy 1:6
4. Our passion is created by His Word. Jeremiah 20:9   Psalm 39:3

Personal Notes: