In the Bible, righteousness is not just about moral behaviour or good deeds; it refers to a right relationship with God and a life that reflects His holiness. The Greek word for righteousness, dikaiosunē, means justice, uprightness, and being in right standing with God. The Bible presents three aspects of righteousness: 1. Imputed Righteousness – The righteousness that comes from faith in Christ (Romans 3:22). 2. Personal Righteousness – Living in obedience to God’s will (1 John 3:7). 3. Social Righteousness – Seeking justice and fairness in society (Amos 5:24).
Jesus teaches that those who deeply desire righteousness will be “filled”—meaning they will be satisfied and fulfilled by God Himself. Jesus also used hunger and thirst as powerful metaphors because they describe a desperate, continuous need. In the physical world, we cannot survive without food and water.
Spiritually, we cannot thrive without righteousness. This hunger is not just a passing feeling but an ongoing craving for God’s presence, truth, and holiness, a deep spiritual longing. David expressed this deep longing in Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” This type of spiritual hunger leads believers to seek God wholeheartedly, knowing that only He can satisfy their souls.
To cultivate a deep hunger for righteousness, believers must first seek God through prayer and His Word. We must spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, which increases our desire for God’s righteousness. Psalm 119:10 says, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” Secondly, we must turn away from sin. A hunger for righteousness means rejecting sin and striving for holiness. 2 Timothy 2:22 urges believers to “flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.” Thirdly, we are to desire the Holy Spirit’s Work. The Holy Spirit transforms hearts and leads believers into righteousness (Galatians 5:16-17). Fourthly, we are to live out justice and mercy. True righteousness involves seeking justice and caring for the oppressed, as seen in Micah 6:8: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. This is not a temporary fulfilment but a deep, lasting satisfaction that comes from God Himself. Jesus offers living water that truly satisfies: In John 6:35, Jesus declares: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This means that those who seek righteousness will find their deepest needs met in Christ. They will experience spiritual fulfilment, joy, and peace that the world cannot provide. We see many who hungered for righteousness. Daniel, despite living in Babylon, remained faithful to God, refusing to compromise his righteousness (Daniel 1:8). Paul pursued righteousness passionately after encountering Christ, saying in Philippians 3:8-9: “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Jesus Himself hungered for and fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15), becoming the ultimate example for believers.
This Beatitude challenges believers to examine their hearts. Do we truly hunger for God’s righteousness, or are we satisfied with worldly things? Jesus invites us to cultivate a deeper desire for Him, promising that we will be filled. As Isaiah 55:1-2 invites all: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! . . . Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
May we seek after righteousness with all our hearts and experience the true satisfaction that only God can give.