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The Energy of Renewed Affections

Righteousness is one of those Bible terms we’re familiar with but probably can’t easily define.  God blesses those who hunger for righteousness—not those who are perfect but those who desire to grow in their righteousness. As we continue to move through the rings of spiritual growth and gain momentum for Christian living, we must recognize a certain hunger that sustains that momentum and propels us forward. Jesus described it as a hunger for righteousness.

We’ve reached a turning point. So far we’ve learned that a blessed person is someone who becomes poor in spirit, mourns over his or her sins, and submits to the will of God. The first three Beatitudes all deal with our need. They humble us and lead us to bow before God with penitent, teachable hearts. 

The Fourth Beatitude addresses the desire that arises from such a heart. From the blessing found in the first three Beatitudes comes the greater blessing of a heart that truly hungers and thirsts for God and for righteousness. If you’ve ever wondered how to foster a stronger desire for holiness in your life, the answer is here:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6 

Here the roots, life, and fruit. The analogy is a helpful one. Spiritual life begins when God brings new life by planting the living seed of His Word in the soul (see 1 Pet. 1:23). We encourage people to put down deep roots in the Scriptures, knowing that a healthy plant draws life through its roots and that fruit will be formed as the roots continue to nourish the plant. 

We can see a roots-life-fruit pattern in the Beatitudes. The first three Beatitudes form the roots of a godly life, and since these roots lie in an awareness of our own need, they produce a deep longing for what we don’t have. Becoming poor in spirit, mourning over our sins, and submitting our lives to God will produce a deep hunger and thirst for righteousness in our souls. This desire will lead to a life of godliness and will produce the beautiful fruit of mercy, purity, and peace that Christ spoke of in the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Beatitudes.