- Watch Video Here: Session 06 – Hunger & Thirst & Righteousness
Hunger & Thirst
Matthew 5:6 – God honors our free will. Even if our inclination is pride, sin, and stubborn resistance, He will have regard for our choice. Jesus communicated a virtuous progression to develop godly desires which will enhance fellowship with God. Humility eliminates pride. Mourning eliminates sin. When pride and sin vanish, we become meek to receive God’s will. Humility, mourning, and meekness lead us to desire His righteousness. When His desires become our desires, He will bring them to pass.
Psalms 37:4 and 5 – God will give us His desires if we ask Him. Matthew 7:7-11
That which we want determines that which we think and do. Before Christ what we wanted was not what God wanted. Our wants were according to the standard of the world, governed by the prince of the power of the air.
Ephesians 2:1-3 – The words “want,” “desire,” and “lust” are very similar. “Want” is to feel that one needs or would like to have, to wish for. “Desire” is to long or hope for someone or something. “Lust” is to have an intense desire or need, to crave. Whatever we passionately want, desire, or lust for occupies our thoughts and life.
James 1:13-15 – Blaming someone else, situations, or circumstances for our own sinful behavior is so easy. “If you didn’t do that or say that, I wouldn’t have gotten angry.” However, the Word of God emphatically and frequently communicates that no one or anything is to blame for our own sin. We sin because we choose to sin!
Appetite / Determines / Lifestyle
James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17 – Man with all his clever manipulations by his lust still never receives what he needs most. That which truly satisfies can be found only in God. The void in our lives is for God.
When a person finally stops trying to do for self and turns to God for help, he still does not receive if his request is based on inordinate lust, instead of respect and love for God.
When we love the world and the things of the world, worldly desires will lead us around by the nose. Satan is the god of this world. Worldly desires end in sin and cause separation from God, destruction, and death.
Psalm 37:1-11
Righteousness
Romans 3:21-26 – To be right with God is a free gift from God through the faith of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 and 10 – If we have faith that Jesus is Lord, we obey his commands.
Matthew 7:21 and 22 – Just saying Jesus is Lord is not enough.
To some, grace and works are opposite, conflicting concepts. However, the Scriptures teach differently. The love of God was the motivation for giving His son which obviously is entirely by His grace. No one has ever deserved, or could even earn, the gift of salvation. Man cannot save himself. God had to do it for him in the person of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:7 and 8). Man has the responsibility to have faith in God and the redeeming work of Christ. Faith implies obedience.
Faith and obedience are inseparable, corresponding realities. If genuine faith exists, then of necessity the works of obedience are also present. If Jesus is our Lord, then we must obey. However, faith and obedience do not make salvation available, grace does. Faith and obedience are the necessary requirements to accept the gift that is offered by grace.
Ephesians 4:21-24 – We must walk in obedience.
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
Matthew 6:33 – Live today for the coming Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Proverbs 10:30 – The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
They shall be Filled
The promise for those who hunger and thirst is that they will be filled or satisfied. The “wants” are what torment us today! As we seek God’s righteousness today, we will be filled according to our appetite. As we remain faithful unto the end, we will be fully satisfied with righteousness at his return.
Isaiah 60:18-21 – The people of God shall all be righteous.
When the Kingdom of God is fully realized, only righteousness will prevail.
2 Peter 3:13 – But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
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