20061022
Righteousness in the 4th Beatitude refers to the idea of conforming to a standard that is a pattern of life in conformity to God’s will. The exact nature of this righteousness for which the blessed hunger and thirst has at least two points of reference.
1. Personal righteousness. It refers to the righteousness of Jesus Christ which God imputes to the believer even as God reckons the believer’s sin to Christ. To hunger and thirst for righteousness means to long for a right relationship with God and consequently to be righteous before God. But because we live in a fallen world, to hunger and thirst for this righteousness will also be a continual desire in the lives of the children of God. One aspect of this righteousness which we seek has already been provided for us through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The heart of the gospel message is that we have sinned against God. But God made Christ to become sin for us, so that in Jesus through faith, we might receive righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). In other words, we lack righteousness, but God provides it for us. A second aspect of this righteousness which we seek is the manner in which every child of God desires to live in ever increasing obedience to God and personal holiness. Our Lord Jesus Christ not only saves us from the guilt of sin, He saves us from the power of sin as well. Hence for Christian believers, personal holiness and righteousness will become the most eminently desirable thing for them in the world. Christian believers are to accept Christ’s gift of forgiveness and also to follow God’s call for holy living.
2. Righteousness for global justice. Christian believers through the ages have hungered and thirsted not only for personal righteousness but also that justice may be done everywhere on earth. All unrighteousness is grievous and makes Christians long for the new heaven and earth which will be the home of righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13). The daily newspapers we read contain numerous examples of such unrighteousness. The dictator who leaves the people of his country dying of hunger while he spends his country’s fortunes on personal luxuries and nuclear weapons will one day have to stand in front of God to account for his actions. The irresponsible pet owner who abandons his Siberian husky without adequate water and shade to die in the sweltering tropical heat will likewise be called to account for his actions. For these and all the other innumerable instances of injustices in our fallen world, the children of God cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
