Why is this pursuit of righteousness so important in our lives? Because it simply means that we can become everything God intended us to be. I appreciate the Armed Forces of the United States, and it is with due respect that I say they cannot fulfill their promise to their recruits to “Become all that you can be.” The power to make us all that we can be rests with God alone, and is released only to those who find their craving for righteousness satisfied in God.
It really goes back to this most basic thing. God has a design for each of us that is perfect, and that will fit in perfect harmony with His design for the rest of His creation. Our happiness, the full realization of God’s blessing in our lives, is dependent upon that craving being satisfied. The release of power to bring healing, deliverance, and salvation to the people we love and to the nations of the earth depends upon His righteousness being formed in us. To try to find our fulfillment apart from that design is to live frustrated, empty, and unfulfilled.
There is a fascinating passage of Scripture recorded in Psalm 112 that speaks to the quality of life reserved for those who are found to be righteous. Consider these things that God says concerning this group of people (Psalm 112:6-12, taken from the New Living Translation):
· Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
· They do not fear bad news.
· They confidently trust the Lord to take care of them.
· They are confident and fearless, and can face their foes triumphantly.
· They share freely and give generously to those in need.
· Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
· They will have influence and honor.
· The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
This amazing list of blessings is promised to those who hunger and thirst for all things to be conformed to reality. They will be fully satisfied, satiated with righteousness! They will see all things become as they should be, and that reality will literally last forever. We’ve decided that we want to be part of this group. Our hope is that you do as well.
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