Michael continues that it is one thing to come unto the Lord Jesus Christ. However, Jesus said, “if you continue in my word then you shall be my disciples, (my students and disciplined followers) indeed.” CS Lewis said, if you’re looking for a religion that makes you comfortable, then Christianity is not that religion. Christianity is unattainable in our fallen nature of the flesh, our sinful and worldly nature that we inherited from Adam. However, we who are "born again" of God’s spiritual nature can understand Christ’s nature ... the things of the Spirit of God.
Jesus Christ himself blazed a trail straight to the heart of God. The beatitudes are the roadmap to follow Jesus Christ. There are many roads, but only one road leads back home to the kingdom of Heaven. Home is where the heart is, therefore, set your affections on things above. For where thy treasure is, there will your heart be also, at home with the Lord. When Christ returns, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God our heavenly Father. Despite the confusion, chaos, strife and contention of this world, Jesus said, in this world you shall have tribulation... but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
According to 2 Timothy 4 Paul said, "I have been poured out as a drink offering. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course. Henceforth a crown of righteousness has been laid up for me and for all who are assured of salvation and look forward to the return of our Lord."
The fourth beatitude says, blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. The multitude at the Sermon on the mount knew what it meant to be hungry and thirsty. They lived in a semi-arid desert and in an impoverished culture. They often did not not have enough to eat and drink. For what are you hungry and thirsty? Jesus said to the woman at the well, I am the fountain of living waters. He who drinks of the water of life shall never thirst. He said to the crowd at Capernaum, I am the bread of life. Only Jesus Christ can satisfy our hunger for the things of the spirit ... only He can quench our thirst for righteousness because our righteousness is in Him ... for He who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” God honors faithfulness according to his word. Jesus Christ is the faithful one. He said, I always do my Father’s will. He consistently followed His Father’s word and will. This fallen world is filled with problems, pressures, and pain. There are many things to mourn over in this world... for those we loved, who have died and left this world ... for the sin which does so easily beset us.... for our having fallen short of the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. In the mourning we can turn our hearts to the Lord with meekness and humility. We mourn over our hunger and thirst for the things that we can not grasp in our own power. The solution to the problem is Jesus Christ himself. There are many problems but only one solution. There are many questions but only one answer, Jesus Christ himself.
The secular world chases after happiness. However, happiness is a fleeting emotion that lasts but for a moment. Happiness depends on happenstance. The fleeting rush of euphoria for things having worked out in this world cannot satisfy. Happiness depends on temporary wisdom, wealth, and power. However victories according to the things of this world are temporary ... they’re here today and gone tomorrow. Happiness depends on favorable co-incidences. However with God there are no coincidences ... there are only God incidences. God is faithful to his Word. His steadfast love endures forever. Loving kindness and tender mercy is the nature of God himself.
Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is the hunger pang for the righteousness of Christ. Repentance begins with turning from the hunger for worldly things and unto hungering for heavenly things of the Spirit of God. As the prophet Jeremiah said, Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)
The late Oswald Chambers said, why shouldn’t God break our hearts? In order for the light to shine forth, our earthen vessels ... our clay pots must be broken. Only then can the light of the spirit of Christ in us shine forth ... for we have this treasure in jars of clay so that the excellency of the power (of the spirit) may be of God and not of us. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. Righteousness is not in our own power. Righteousness is the result of Christ’s justification as the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf. When we are "born again" of God’s Spirit, who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall persecution or tribulation, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay.... in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Thank God for breaking our hearts. Thank God for filling us with a hunger and thirst for his righteousness, for meekness and mourning in order to come unto Him with empty hands and a destitute heart of humility. He alone can fill us and fulfill the purpose for which He called us ... that we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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