A guest post from my dad, Jim Weidmann:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Hunger and thirst are the body’s way of telling us that we are “empty.” Our natural response to hunger and thirst is to seek food and water to satisfy our need. Each Christian has an inner longing that only Christ’s righteousness can satisfy. But we can not be filled with righteousness if we are filled with self.
Throughout scriptures God emphasizes that the one who longs for Him with all his heart will find Him (Jer 29:13). As we crave for righteousness, we will repent of our sin, and God will remove it from us. Our selfishness will be replaced by the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Spirit will make us to be like Christ.
Righteousness is not to be taken lightly, nor is it easily attained. Holy God does not give His righteousness to people indiscriminately. He gives it to those who know they can not live without it. Our desire for personal righteousness must be powerful, all consuming, dominating everything we do. Pursuing righteousness means that we value the opinion of God for more than the opinions of people. We actively seek His heart in His Word, journaling His opinion of our situations!
