Becoming Righteous

Becoming Righteous (Written by guest writer David Peterson)

While on the mountain, during His wonderful discourse on blessings, Jesus said in Matthew 5:6:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”

Jesus was speaking of a righteousness that stood in sharp contrast to what the Pharisees displayed. He was pointing to the type of righteousness God desires in relationship with Him. Those who hunger for this ultimate source of righteousness will be satisfied through their holy relationship with God the Father.

The early theologian Augustine wrote:

“It is not the being seen of men that is wrong, but doing these things for the purpose of being seen of men. The problem with the hypocrite is his motivation. He does not want to be holy; he only wants to seem to be holy. He is more concerned with his reputation for righteousness than about actually becoming righteous. The approbation of men matters more to him than the approval of God.”

Augustine’s words remind us that many in his day were duplicitous and double-minded concerning righteousness. Has much changed in our day?

The first stanza of Edward Mote’s most famous hymn, written in 1834, reads:

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

This hymn, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” points us to the wisdom of building on the Rock Of Christ. Mote directs us to Jesus’ righteousness as the only sure foundation and the source of our hope.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, grant us the strength and wisdom to walk in Your ways, embracing righteousness in every thought, word, and deed. May our hearts be aligned with Your will, and may we embody Your love and truth in all our actions. Amen.