“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matt 5:6 (NIV)
Christ-centered living involves holy ambition. There is nothing more appealing to a starving person than food. For the follower of Christ, the spiritual appetite is a craving for righteousness. At salvation, you receive the righteousness of Christ and a resulting passion for righteous living.
- “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)
- “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV)
- “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Psalms 42:1 (NIV)
As you seek the Lord and His righteousness, He satisfies your soul. You cannot pursue worldliness and godliness at the same time. The paths are in opposition. To grow in Christ likeness is to daily pursue Jesus and His agenda for your life. Continual prayer and consistent intake of God’s Word will feed your passion for His righteousness.
Remember, whatever you feed grows; whatever you starve dies.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care