Selwyn now starts a discussion on the next beatitude: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’ (Matthew 5:6).
He says: “The first thing we must notice about this statement is that we are encouraged not to seek for blessedness, but for righteousness. … Those who continually reach out for satisfaction remain unsatisfied. Satisfaction and contentment, we must understand, are by-products. We do not find them; they find us. … However, if we give up the chase (for satisfaction) and focus on living in a right relationship with God then blessedness will take up residence in our hearts. Our primary concern should always be to put the Lord and His righteousness first. When we get taken up with His righteousness He, in return, gives us satisfaction.”
The last sentence is a good summary of this study – do you agree?
In thinking about this – the words of Jesus in John 4:34-36, came to mind: ‘”My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together …”‘
Do you agree that the main way to be ‘taken up with His righteousness’ – is to do the will of Him; who has sent you to help in the work of harvesting the crop for eternal life – so that, all the workers (including you) may be glad together?
Selwyn’s prayer is worth repeating here: ‘O Father help me, I pray, to have the right priorities in my life. May I be more taken up with knowing You and loving You than with the joyous feelings that our relationship gives me. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.’
Satisfaction – a by-product
Selwyn now starts a discussion on the next beatitude: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’ (Matthew 5:6).
He says: “The first thing we must notice about this statement is that we are encouraged not to seek for blessedness, but for righteousness. … Those who continually reach out for satisfaction remain unsatisfied. Satisfaction and contentment, we must understand, are by-products. We do not find them; they find us. … However, if we give up the chase (for satisfaction) and focus on living in a right relationship with God then blessedness will take up residence in our hearts. Our primary concern should always be to put the Lord and His righteousness first. When we get taken up with His righteousness He, in return, gives us satisfaction.”
The last sentence is a good summary of this study – do you agree?
In thinking about this – the words of Jesus in John 4:34-36, came to mind: ‘”My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together …”‘
Do you agree that the main way to be ‘taken up with His righteousness’ – is to do the will of Him; who has sent you to help in the work of harvesting the crop for eternal life – so that, all the workers (including you) may be glad together?
Selwyn’s prayer is worth repeating here: ‘O Father help me, I pray, to have the right priorities in my life. May I be more taken up with knowing You and loving You than with the joyous feelings that our relationship gives me. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.’