We've been examining the Beatitudes in our chapels this year, and it's crucial to recognize that Jesus' teachings on the character of Christians build upon each other.
- Beatitude 1: Christians are poor in spirit. We humbly admit our need for God; we can't save ourselves. Only Christ gives us access to God and eternal life in Heaven.
- Beatitude 2: Christians mourn. We hate our sins and the sins of the world; yet, we find comfort and peace in God, despite the difficulties we face.
- Beatitude 3: Christians are meek. We don't try to take control and overpower people. We are led by the Spirit, bless others, and receive God's blessings.
This brings us to beatitude 4. Matthew 5:6 says, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Does this describe you and your heart? Are we teaching our kids to hunger and thirst for righteousness, showing them this is how to be blessed and where our souls receive satisfaction? What does that even mean?
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to actively seek a right relationship with God. We desire to be like Christ, and if we are in Christ, trusting in Christ as Lord and Savior, His righteous character will be seen in us by others. We understand that only Christ can quench our thirsts and feed our souls. Jesus said, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again (John 4:14a). Later in John 6:35, Jesus says to a large crowd, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Jesus is essential for life and the life to come. He is the way to God and a life pleasing to God.
Seeking a right relationship with God starts with acknowledging our sins to Him. We humbly confess our unholy thoughts, words, and actions to God - our pride, ungratefulness, impatience, laziness, selfishness, and more. We confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When we call on the name of the Lord, we will be saved (Acts 2:21), and we will hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is what true Christians do because we find satisfaction in Christ.
So, are you hungering and thirsting for righteousness? Are you teaching this to your kiddos? I want to encourage you to get in God's Word daily, like Mr. Allen recently challenged us. This is the greatest way to grow in God's grace and knowledge. We must be people of the Word if we want to be satisfied. And if we are His blessed people who hunger and thirst for righteousness, that's what we'll be.
If you would like to discuss this further, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'll do what I can to listen, encourage, and point you to the King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. He is good!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6
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