I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). This Beatitude pinpoints the intensity of our hunger and thirst for righteousness. The Greek word “dikaiosyne” used here by Matthew is a noun. Its ending “syne” is used for Greek words that develop with an abstract thought. It is in the feminine gender also indicating this abstraction. Ten concrete rules will not bring us to a state of righteousness. Since righteousness is abstract, we must be careful in our consideration. In the practical aspects of daily life abstractions tend to lead us into areas of no consequence. This is not true for righteousness.
Let au begin with THE DESCRIPTION of righteousness. In both the Old and New Testaments, it is a state commanded by God. It is exclusively determined by God and tested by His judgment. This means righteousness exists when we conform to all that God commands or appoints. In other words, righteousness is the standard to which God calls us. Since in both the Old and New Testaments the required standard is God, He becomes the standard of the Christian. In the Old Testament God said to Israel, “For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). He continued, “For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45). Peter echoed this same quote in the New Testament context (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus is the visible expression of this holiness. He is the standard; I must be intimate with Him! I am a Jesus pusher!!!