“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.”
—
Matthew 5:6
(NRSV)
Righteousness is not a very
popular concept. It has overtones of self-righteousness
about it. It has, therefore, in recent times, had a bad rap. It’s a word that
represents God’s truth; it is something accurate and right on the mark.
If we are desperate for God’s
truth we will most notice the lack of
God’s truth in our faith lives. Such a cognisance for lack drives us toward
God, to learn about righteousness, to apply what we learn, and not so much to
notice the lack of righteousness in others’ lives – that would be self-righteousness.
Righteousness and self-righteousness would have to be
polar opposites.
We could view these
two as humility and pride. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are
dedicated, including even losses to themselves, to truth. Given that honesty and
humility are quite synonymous, righteousness is the result where humility is
the method.
***
Being a ‘filled up soul’ is
something that is personally valuable.
It should be something we all
strive after. So, to strive after righteousness is to commit honestly to
humility. To be filled is to ensure there is no other outcome.
It’s easy to see that if we
hunger and thirst after something we will be filled because of it, because we
will find it. Whatever we are passionate for we make time and effort for.
If it’s righteousness that we are
most passionate about our lives will reflect a characterised sense of contented
assuredness.
Being filled has that sense of
being satisfied and contented.
Whatever we fill up on promises
to satisfy us, but can everything we fill up on satisfy us? No, not everything
can. It’s up to us to be discerning.
But to fill up on righteousness –
to be honest, of integrity, and humble – means we will be filled by the power
and grace of God.
***
Those endeavouring faithfully to
live a righteous life live without fear.
Knowing right from wrong – and
importantly, able to bridge the poles of righteousness and justice by actuality
in their own lives – the righteous person is a blessing. They are filled and
are able to be conduits for others’ filling.
What a great thing it is to
worship God: to hunger and thirst after righteousness.
***
QUESTIONS in REVIEW:
1. Why on earth do we search
everywhere else (and not God) in order to be filled and satisfied?
2. Challenge yourself regarding the
principle of righteousness and the principle of self-righteousness. How might you reframe the concept of
righteousness as a to-be-sought-after character trait?
3. Think about the links between
righteousness and humility. Do you agree or disagree with the idea that “righteousness is the
result where humility is the method.”
© 2015 S. J. Wickham.
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