The Beatitudes – Those who hunger (Part 2)

The fourth beatitude explains that true blessedness is not about what we have, but what we long for. We are constantly being told that our joy is one purchase, one vacation, or one promotion away. That is not the kind of longing that Jesus had in mind. Rather, we will experience God’s favour when we long for or desire the right things. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).

What is righteousness? Scholars have debated this term for ages. It is such a rich term, like a polished diamond that reveals new facets and beauty each time we turn it over. Righteousness can refer to someone who is acquitted in a trial (see Deut. 25:1). It can also refer to someone who is in step with the law, who “walks blamelessly and does what is right” (Ps. 15:2).
 
Righteousness, however, should not merely be defined in human terms. Righteousness is first and foremost an attribute of God. God is the final standard of what is right and he always acts according to his own righteous standard. That is the standard to which we should strive and by which we will be judged.

How could I possibly be that righteous? Through the gospel, righteousness has been brought within reach in two wonderful ways: imputed righteousness and implanted righteousness.

What is imputed righteousness? Imputed righteousness refers to the righteousness of Jesus Christ which is bestowed on believers because of their union with Christ by faith. This is a righteousness that we receive from God, so that God looks at us as though we had never sinned. This is what Paul referred to in Phil. 3:8-9: “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”.

Thomas Watson describes it so beautifully: “The weakest believer is justified as much as the strongest. This is a Christian’s triumph. When he is defiled in himself, he is undefiled in his Head. In this blessed righteousness we shine brighter than the angels. This righteousness is worth hungering for.” It is this imputed righteousness that makes us acceptable to God. If we understand our desperate plight and have mourned over our sin, feeling our desperate weakness, we will long for the justifying righteousness of God.

What about implanted righteousness? Implanted righteousness is a holiness of heart and life that is ours by the work of the Holy Spirit. This righteousness does not save us, but the result of being saved. You cannot separate imputed righteousness from implanted righteousness, because one leads to the other. In other words, justification leads to sanctification. “This”, Thomas Watson writes, “the pious soul hungers after.”

Maybe you find these words convicting or discouraging. It is true that our longing is not always what it ought to be, yet even a weak appetite is a sign of life. Mourning our weak spiritual appetite is a good sign. Take that weak desire to Jesus, repent of it, and ask him to increase your hunger for righteousness.

After all, Jesus is the one who wants to satisfy that hunger. He even gave us a promise: “for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6). God will fulfil their desire. Jesus invites us, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). Accept his invitation by faith and receive from him the righteousness that only he can supply.
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Because of Christ,
Pieter