Topical Bible: Righteousness: Saints: Hunger and Thirst After

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In the Christian faith, righteousness is a fundamental attribute of God's character and a quality that believers are called to pursue. The concept of righteousness encompasses living in a manner that is in alignment with God's will and commands. It is both a gift from God and a pursuit for the believer, reflecting a life transformed by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Beatitudes, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, highlight the blessedness of those who earnestly seek righteousness. Jesus declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). This beatitude underscores the deep, spiritual longing that characterizes the saints' pursuit of righteousness. It is not a passive desire but an active, intense craving akin to the physical needs of hunger and thirst.

The imagery of hungering and thirsting conveys a sense of urgency and necessity. Just as physical sustenance is essential for life, so is righteousness essential for spiritual vitality. This longing is indicative of a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, one that seeks to align with God's standards and to reflect His holiness in every aspect of life.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently emphasizes the importance of pursuing righteousness. In his letter to the Romans, he writes, "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" (Romans 1:17). Here, Paul highlights that righteousness is not achieved through human effort but is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is both imputed to believers and imparted as they grow in sanctification.

The saints' hunger and thirst for righteousness are also reflected in their desire for justice and moral integrity in the world. The prophet Amos exhorts, "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24). This call to righteousness extends beyond personal piety to encompass social justice and ethical living, reflecting God's heart for a world restored to His order.

The pursuit of righteousness is a lifelong journey for the believer. It involves a continual turning away from sin and a turning towards God, seeking His kingdom and His righteousness above all else. As Jesus instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). This pursuit is marked by a reliance on God's grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live in a manner pleasing to God.

In summary, the saints' hunger and thirst for righteousness is a defining characteristic of their faith journey. It reflects a deep, spiritual longing to be conformed to the image of Christ and to live in accordance with God's will. This pursuit is both a response to God's gracious gift of righteousness through faith and an active endeavor to embody His holiness in every aspect of life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Divine Hunger and Thirst
... is the answer to man's hunger after righteousness, the second ... for learned people,
clever, great saints?' I think ... pleasure, that they knew no thirst, fretted not ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ii the divine hunger.htm

All Saints' Day
... communion of the elect; and has had his share in the everlasting All Saints' Day
which ... Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon i all saints day.htm

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
... Whence is this hunger? Hunger is from the sense of want. ... He who has this
righteousness is equal to the most illustrious saints. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/13 the nature of spiritual.htm

Of the Praise of the Saints.
... In that, indeed, in the praise of the saints, they will not drive us with the zeal
of that publican [2833] to hunger and thirst after righteousness, but with ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 vii of the praise.htm

The Bliss of the Glorified
... man that hungers and thirst to-day after righteousness, for he ... On earth it is good
for saints to hunger and to ... have done even with that blessed hunger and that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the bliss of the glorified.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, "Blessed are ...
... to attain, and glow with desire, and hunger and thirst ... son, through fear of punishment,
not through love of righteousness. ... Wherefore take heaven for all saints. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon iii on the words.htm

Letter vii. --For 335. Easter-Day iv Pharmuthi, iii Kal. April; xx ...
... also hear our Saviour saying, Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after
righteousness, for they shall be filled [4176] .' Well then do the saints and those ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vii for 335 easter-day iv.htm

All Saints' Day
... the great darkness, strong winds and bad times, then the Saints mourn over ... Very few
hunger and desire, in thought, sight and taste, for righteousness only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxv all saints day.htm

Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ...
... will yield them to the prayers of His saints, who will ... [1561] But it is in this
righteousness that we ... We hunger and thirst for it now, that hereafter we may be ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 against those who fancy.htm

Of Zeal and Diligence
... after the likeness of Christ and of all His saints. ... the virtues, both of soul and
of body, in righteousness. ... says: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xx of zeal and.htm