A Thought For The Week Of May 7

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6) The fourth Beatitude. Many people would run as fast as they can from a word like "righteousness," mainly because so many people are unaware of what it really means. They confuse righteousness with self-righteousness - and who wants to be self-righteous. Let's be honest. Self-righteous people are an irritating pain in the neck. They think they're good - and they let everyone know it! In fact, more than just thinking they're good - they think they're GOOD ENOUGH! And that's the problem. But Jesus didn't offer blessings to the self-righteous. If they think they're good enough, they probably don't much care about getting a blessing anyway. They think they are a blessing! Jesus offered HIS blessings to those who passionately desired righteousness. Righteousness has nothing to do with us - and everything to do with God. Righteousness is a quality we gain when we're made right with God - which we can't bring about by our own efforts; that's God's doing. That's the reconciling ministry of Christ. That's the grace of God in action. A person who's self-righteous doesn't really perceive a need for God, although they might pay lip service to God. But if you truly hunger and thirst for righteousness you'll never be turned away from God. God will fill you. Have a great week!