Righteous Pursuit

Matthew 5:⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Those who pursue righteousness will be blessed with a full supply of righteousness. The righteousness we get is not from us being a good person, but from us pursuing God's righteousness in our faith walk. How do we pursue God's righteousness? I am glad you asked. The prayers of a righteous man do something. James 5:¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Get the process started and be willing to "stay with it" and God will reveal heavenly mysteries to you. Here is where the answers are found to follow the pursuit of righteousness. Matthew 7:⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

1. Ask God to show you what true righteousness is by reading His Word. Hebrews 4:¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Don't come to God double-minded in your pursuit because God knows your heart better than you do.

   
   

2. Pray for a burning desire to seek God and then seek God! Matthew 6:³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. The word "first" is very important here, because our first priority must be "What does God think I should do?" God will give us a burning desire when we seek Him first.

   
   

3. Knock on the door of heaven, and God will answer and enlighten you. The old Bob Dylan song brings to mind the knocking part of this pursuit. They go like this: Knock, Knock, Knockin' on heaven's door. Colossians 3:1 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ³ For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Establish your life foundation in Jesus, and you will see His righteousness revealed to you and through you. Matthew 6: ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Today would be a great day to begin pursuing the Lord with a Righteous Pursuit...

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren