(Matthew
5:6)
By
Nick Bibile
What does righteousness mean? At its core, righteousness is living according to the truth. And the truth is found in the Word of God. To be righteous is to live in obedience to God’s Word.
Many today see righteousness only in a horizontal sense—comparing themselves with their neighbors, thinking one man is “more righteous” than another. But true righteousness is not measured horizontally, it is measured vertically—before God Himself.
Before the fall, Adam had perfect righteousness and enjoyed perfect blessedness with God. But when Adam sinned, he and all his seed became unrighteous. As Scripture says:
“There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10)
Many religions teach that righteousness can be attained through good works. But the Bible teaches the opposite:
“God imputes righteousness apart from works.” (Romans 4:6)
Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed the law we have broken. He is the Truth, and He declared:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
Through faith in Christ, His righteousness is imputed to us:
“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
If we are righteous today, it is not because of ourselves—it is because Christ has restored what Adam lost.
The Beatitudes form a spiritual ladder:
Poor in spirit – we recognize our sinfulness.
Those who mourn – we grieve over our sin.
The meek – humility replaces pride.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – we now long for God’s holiness.
This hunger and thirst are not physical but spiritual. True happiness is found not in sin but in holiness. A genuine Christian, saved by grace, will naturally bear fruit and produce good works:
“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)
Physical hunger and thirst point us to a deeper truth. Just as the body craves food and drink, the soul of the believer craves God’s Word. Worldly food satisfies only temporarily—but God’s Word nourishes eternally.
When a person is born of the Spirit, he develops an appetite for God’s Word. It brings sweetness beyond any earthly delight. It transforms the heart and reshapes the character, producing holiness and joy in Christ.
Man is born crying, “I want, I need, I like,” always craving for happiness. Yet earthly satisfactions never last. Jesus told the Samaritan woman:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” (John 4:13–14)
Only Christ offers living water that quenches the soul forever.
Satan entices with the “sweetness” of worldly pleasures—entertainment, materialism, and sin. He whispers, “It’s fine to go to church, read the Bible, even pray—but don’t give your whole mind and heart to Jesus.” In doing so, he lures people to worship the world rather than God.
But how can we compare the gold of heaven to the dust of this world? How can we compare the righteousness of Christ with the fleeting sweetness of sin?
“Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)
The born-again believer hungers not for sin, but for godliness. He thirsts to see God’s kingdom come and His will be done. His prayers cry out: “Lord, save souls! Lord, cast down idols! Lord, end the reign of sin!”
The righteous man does not crave many things, but one thing:
“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
Like the deer panting for streams of water, so his soul pants for God (Psalm 42:1–2). Like Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, he chooses “the one thing needed” (Luke 10:41–42).
Worldly men hunger for wealth, fame, and pleasure. But the child of God would rather be poor and righteous than rich through sin. He seeks first the kingdom of God, knowing all else will be added (Matthew 6:33).
Before we were enemies of God, now through Christ we are transformed. We love Him because He first loved us (1 Peter 1:8). His Word becomes more satisfying than any earthly feast.
Beloved, you will never be filled unless you first hunger. Hunger and thirst after Christ, for only He can satisfy your soul. Look to Jesus, believe in Him, and you will be filled with His righteousness, forever.