Righteousness (more from Matthew 5 v 6)

The goal of this verse is the passionate pursuit of righteousness, resulting in happiness and fullness.

Yet it was that very thing that evaded the Israelites for generations.

Many references to righteousness in the OT are made with regard to the law. How the people were doing in their keeping of the law was a measure of their righteousness before God.

Deuteronomy 6 v 24

The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.

Knowing the stories as we do we are only too aware of the terrible struggle the Israelites had attempting to keep this law.

Over the generations what becomes increasingly apparent is that they are never going to experience the blessings that come with righteousness because they can't keep the law.

They didn't even inherit the land because of their righteousness.

Deuteronomy 9 v 4

After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, "The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness." No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you.

They did get the land but only on account of the wickedness of the occupying nations.

The situation becomes progressively desperate leading to a divided nation and exile. All through these experiences the dawning of a universal truth grows and builds. They need saving, they and we need a saviour!

Righteousness was and is never going to be achieved by keeping the law, in attempting to achieve righteousness via the law all that is actually achieved is condemnation (which is at least an accurate assessment) or falsely as with the Pharisees, pride.

Paul puts it like this

Romans 3

21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

So our righteousness is found only in Jesus.

To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst for Jesus. To desire his company, a continued filling with His Holy Spirit and through the power of the indwelling Spirit of Jesus to become like him.

To line our lives up in this way is to demonstrate a life which begins to resemble the description Jesus is giving of this happy, fulfilled man.