Walking in the Righteousness of Jesus

This morning I am calling our attention to the 4th of the seven Beatitudes in Matthew 5.

These Beatitudes of Jesus describe the followers, the TRUE disciples of Jesus.

Jesus said in: Matthew 5:3–12 (LSB)

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the lowly, for they shall inherit the earth.

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

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We may be able to better understand the Beatitudes by looking at them from their opposites.

If we follow and apply the Beatitudes to our lives, we will be blessed.

But, not everyone chooses to do that.

Too many ignore or rebel against the grace and salvation of Jesus.

Those who choose to do so, Jesus implied, will NOT be blessed.

Instead, their condition could be described in this way:

Wretched are the spiritually self-sufficient, for theirs is the kingdom of hell.

Wretched are those who deny the tragedy of their sinfulness, for they will be troubled.

Wretched are the self-centered, for they will be empty.

Wretched are those who ceaselessly justify themselves, for their efforts will be in vain.

Wretched are the merciless, for no mercy will be shown to them.

Wretched are those with impure hearts, for they will not see God.

Wretched are those who reject peace, for they will earn the title “sons of Satan.”

Wretched are the uncommitted for convenience’s sake, for their destination is hell.

The Sermon on the Mount as a whole, just 3 chapters long, is worthy of a constant life-long study.

We need to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into obedience to all that it commands.

But, I think we struggle just to live in alignment with the 8 (or, if you prefer, 10) beatitudes.

Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

I cannot preach on ALL the beatitudes at once, so let me focus on the one to which I feel the Holy Spirit is calling special attention.

The fourth Beatitude in Matthew 5:6

Jesus says in in that Beatitude Matthew 5:6 (LSB) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6 (AMP) “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.

First of all, I point out as I have in years past, that, to be blessed of God is NOT some light, inconsequential thing.

Something about which to be flip or to look upon as some cheap thing.

To have the blessing of God is to have God’s favor on our lives.

If we understand the Blessing spoken of in this verse, we WILL desire it — we will do whatever it takes to have it.

Second of all:

The KJV Commentary tells us that…

The… future possessors of the earth (3rd Beatitude) are its presently-installed rightful heirs and even now these heirs hunger and thirst after righteousness.

They experience a deep desire for personal righteousness which is, in itself, a proof of their spiritual re-birth. (NOT unsaved people!)

Those who are poor and empty in their own spiritual poverty recognize the depth of their need and hunger and thirst for that which only God can give them.

To hunger means to be needy.

It is joined with to thirst;

the born-again man or woman has a God-given hunger and thirst ( an inner passion) for righteousness.

This hungering and thirsting continues throughout the life of the believer. He or she continues to hunger and to be filled and to hunger and to be filled. God supplies their every spiritual need daily.

This act of hungering and thirsting after righteousness is the by-product and proof of a regenerated life.

CBL reminds us that:

God’s followers [do] not “DO righteousness” to be seen by men [not a public display] [but rather] (… but to be seen by God [a private relationship with Him];

this is the response of faith.

Simply “doing” is inadequate (5:20).

That was what Jesus confronted in the Pharisees.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:20 (LSB) “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Pharisees put on a facade of righteousness — hypocritical actions coming from a heart of, if not insincerity, then a heart of evil.

The righteousness seen in this Beatitude…

… is a relationship to be desired (5:6- hunger and thirst) and sought after

As Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 (TPT): “… above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from Him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

We must make God’s Kingdom and God’s gift of righteousness, a priority in our life.

Not money, fame, power, possessions — not even a long and healthy life — NO!

The priority must be God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness.

The words “hunger and thirst” in verse 6 give us a picture intense longings that people desire to satisfy—necessities that they cannot live without.

When we hunger and thirst for righteousness we experience that longing in at least three forms:

1. The desire to BE righteous—to be forgiven and accepted by God; to be right with God.

2. The desire to DO what is right—to do what God commands; imitating and reflecting God’s righteousness.

3. The desire to SEE right done—to help bring about God’s will in the world.

The Free Gift

We hunger and thirst after the GIFT of God’s righteousness given through Jesus.

Both God’s Kingdom and His righteousness spoken of in Matthew 5:6 are free gifts of God which cannot be earned.

Free to us, but costly to God.

Romans 3:21–26 (LSB) But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

John MacArthur tells us that this Romans 3 passage helps us understand that

Vs. 21 The righteousness of God is apart from legalism, AND

[That is is] built on revelation

and [in verse 22] we see that God’s GIFT of His righteousness is acquired by faith and by faith alone

Vs. 23 We understand that we are absolutely and completely undeserving of it

Vs. 24 It is given as a gift

Vs. 25-26 A gift paid for by Jesus through the propitiation of His blood

Thank God for the Gift of His righteousness!

Modeled By The King of Righteousness

You see, righteousness is mentioned

at least 207 times in KJV OT

and at least 99 times in the KJV NT.

So, it is an foundational part of the Kingdom of God.

And the King of the Kingdom, Jesus, modeled the righteousness He desires us to have.

Is 53:11 prophesied: He [the Father] shall see the labor of His [the Son’s] soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Jesus is the fulfillment — HE is the righteous Servant.

Heb 1:9 tells us that: You [Jesus] have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

Our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ, is a RIGHTEOUS King.

It happens in an extraordinary way.

Hebrews 6:20 (LSB) … Jesus, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

You can read the short account of Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18-20

But Hebrews 7:1–10 (LSB) [explains… ] For this MELCHIZEDEK, KING OF SALEM, PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, who met ABRAHAM AS HE WAS RETURNING FROM THE SLAUGHTER OF THE KINGS and BLESSED HIM, 2 TO WHOM ALSO ABRAHAM APPORTIONED A TENTH PART OF ALL, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually. 4 Now observe how great this man was TO WHOM ABRAHAM, the patriarch, GAVE A TENTH of the spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priest’s office, have a commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brothers, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them had collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Hughes, R. K. (1993). Hebrews: an anchor for the soul. Crossway Books.

Melchizedek Foreshadowed Christ’s Character

The title Melchizedek, the author of Hebrews explains, means “king of righteousness”

and the title “king of Salem” (i.e., Jerusalem; cf. Psalm 72) means “king of peace.”

Significantly here, we should note that both the qualities of righteousness and peace were prophesied of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, 7, where his fourth title is “Prince of Peace,” and he goes on to rule with “righteousness.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 (LSB) For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this.

The New Testament identifies Jesus specifically as “Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1)

1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”

In 1 Corinthians 1:30 Jesus is described as “our righteousness”

1 Corinthians 1:30 (LSB) But by [God the Father’s] doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Jesus is the King of righteousness!

As we abide IN HIM, He is OUR righteousness.

Likewise, (Ephesians 2:14) says of Jesus, “For He Himself is our peace” .

Jesus is the King of peace — OUR peace!

So Jesus brings righteousness and peace together in His person.

As the Psalmist so magnificently indicates, in the Lord “righteousness and peace kiss each other”.

That is Psalm 85:10 (LSB) [that says] Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Righteousness and peace are the telltale kiss of Messiah’s character — Jesus’ character.

Jesus is the King, the sovereign, of righteousness and peace.

He is the sovereign giver of the kisses of peace and righteousness.

… He is the only one in whom peace and righteousness can be found.

So, we see that Melchizedek foreshadowed the character of Christ—his kingship, his priesthood, his righteousness, and his peace.

The Holy Spirit Leads Us To Righteousness

If we love the King of Righteousness and Peace.

If we will seek after God’s righteousness.

If we will hunger and thirst for it...

And the Holy Spirit will reveal His righteousness to us.

Jesus said in John 16:8–11 (NASB95) “And He, when He [the Holy Spirit] comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Fire Bible: Righteousness.

The Holy Spirit convinces the spirit of a person that Jesus is the Son of God who came and showed us the righteousness of God — the right way to God.

He reveals that a right relationship with God does not depend on our own good works or efforts, but on Christ’s death on the cross for our sins.

If we accept His forgiveness and turn over the rule of our lives to Him, His Spirit will empower us to do what is right by God’s standards and to overcome the ungodly ways and temptations of the world (Ac 3:12–16; 7:51–60; 17:31; 1Pe 3:18).

Can you hear the Holy Spirit?

If you are saved,

If you have a current relationship with God — the Holy Spirit ignites a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness in your life.

Will we respond?

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia tells us that…

Righteousness as a quality of character is practically identical with holiness in the NT.

It is opposed to sin (Rom 6:13, 20) and iniquity (2 Cor 6:14).

It is coupled with goodness and truth as the fruit of the light (Eph 5:9; cf 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22).

Ephesians 5:8–9 (LSB) for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of that light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

1 Timothy 6:11 (LSB) But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22 (LSB) Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Righteousness implies a rule or standard of conduct, which in effect is one with the life of love and holiness.

It is brought home to men by the conviction of the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:8).

In its origin it is the righteousness of God (Mt 6:33; cf Jn 17:25).

In Paul’s theology, “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe” (Rom 3:22) is the act of God, out of free grace, declaring and treating the sinner as righteous, that he thereby may become righteous, even as “we love, because he first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19).

The whole character of God, then, whether we call it love, holiness or righteousness, is revealed in His work of salvation, wherein He goes forth to men in love and mercy, that they may be made citizens of His kingdom, heirs of His righteousness, and participators in His love.

As the worship team comes to the platform…

Are we walking in the righteousness of God?

Are we wielding the weapons of righteousness described in…

… but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God,

2 Corinthians 6:7 “ in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,”

Could we stand?

This morning if you are NOT desiring the righteousness of God, could I urge you to:

Repent of your sins

Surrender your life the the Lordship of Jesus

Perhaps you are hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness…

You are prioritizing not just the Kingdom of God, but His righteousness.

Can I encourage us to lift up our hands and ask for a fresh infusion of the gift of His righteousness?