“Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Mt. 5:6
What exactly is this verse descriptively declaring unto us? It is telling us — whom it truly is — among us — that is an eternally saved one while being still here in this fallen, passing away, sinful and law-cursed world. The “Blessed one” is an eternally loved and saved one! They that truly fit this description – male or female – young or old – are among those whom have been – according to Eph.1:3-4 – blessed by God the Father with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in His eternal Son. That is a biblical description of a sinner who has been blessed by God. A sinner who is one of God’s eternally saved ones!
This verse is telling us that all of God’s blessed ones – all of His eternally saved ones – “hunger and thirst” after something. Hunger and thirst pertain to ardent desires which are must be satisfied as a vital part of life. The meeting and filling of these desires are necessary aspects and activities of the daily pursuit and routine of the sustenance of life. And, that which the blessed saved one hungers and thirsts for – is not at all of this world! It is not success, or wealth, or fame, or even simple worldly happiness. No. What the blessed saved one daily hungers and thirsts for is that which they absolutely need in order to be allowed in the eternal, heavenly presence of the Lord their God – whom they dearly love. They daily (even hourly) hunger and thirst after “righteousness”!
Make no mistake about it – dear one — this is not referring to self-righteousness. The blessed saved one does not hunger and thirst after self contrived righteousness. Ro.10:3 plainly describes the people that pursue self-righteousness. It says: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Nor is this referencing a hunger and thirst after what may be referred to as “law-righteousness”. Ro.3:19-20 says: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law – that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God. (20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified [or, declared righteous] in His sight – for by the law is the knowledge of sin!” Fallen-in-sin people of this world cannot produce the righteousness of God’s blessed saved one — by pursuing a righteousness produced by their following the law. All the law does is point out how sinfully guilty we all are! So, the blessed saved one does not hunger and thirst after law-righteousness.
It is plainly declared from Ro.3:21-22: “But now – the righteousness of God – without [or, apart from] the law is manifested [or, revealed] being witnessed by the law and the prophets. (22) Even — the righteousness of God – which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…” The blessed saved one hungers and thirsts after this particular righteousness! And, when it says that the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ – it means that He is the One that we hunger and thirst for! Jer.23:6> “…And this is His name whereby He shall be called – The Lord our righteousness!”
There is even one more wonderful thing that is descriptively declared to us from Mt.5:6 – and we would be remiss to not emphasize it. It says: “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED!” Praise and glory unto the wonderful Name of our eternal Savior! Oh to be filled with the eternally justifying righteousness of Christ, our God!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
