Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”This sounds like an easy one. Of course I want righteousness! I see the news stories of murder, infidelity, child abuse, theft, and a host of other unrighteous acts and I’m furious and hurt. Why can’t people just do right?
I hunger for wars to end and peace to prevail.
I thirst for justice for victims of others‘ cruel behaviors.
I hunger for my friends and acquaintances to treat me kindly, fairly, and lovingly.
I thirst to get truth and honesty in communication.
Common decency, right?
But am I equally passionate about my own righteousness?
Do I hunger to make it right when I have wronged someone I might not like?
Do I thirst to forgive as I have been forgiven?
Do I hunger for opportunities to do good for widows and orphans?
Do I thirst to be honest and forthcoming, even when it might cost me?
If I’m not careful, I make myself the decider of big sins and little sins and of course mine are all little. I think Sunday’s sermon on gossip got under my skin (in the best way) because I’m forced to admit I sometimes measure myself against society’s standard of what makes a good person instead of God’s standard of what makes a righteous person. When Jeremiah wrote that the heart is deceitful, he might as well have tagged me in it.
If you ever hear me getting a little self-righteous, point me back here.
kg –(Kelli’s new group is in Jackson, Tennessee. Message her if you want to sign up with those great Bible loving women!)
And this good news!…Samantha Carlson (and company) is starting a new Digging Deep group in DeSoto, Missouri. You will love Samantha! First meeting is September 25th at the church building there and you can contact Samantha at 314-753-2195.
