I saw God today...calling me to RIGHTEOUSNESS.

In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says to his disciples, "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Certainly, I am always interested in trying to figure out ways to be "satisfied". The King James Version of the Bible uses the word "filled" here.  It actually appears to be a closer definition the original Greek word which is defined literally as to be filled with herbs and grass from the field (as of animals). I read it as if I am sitting at the dinner table having finished a plate or two of my wife's tri-tip dinner when she asks me, "Would you like any more?".  My reply is "No Thanks! I'm full!" This is not Thanksgiving dinner where you eat past the point of satisfaction.  That is over-filled. This is contentment. This is taking pleasure in what God has provided in his creation and being filled or satisfied by that.  But in this case, Jesus is not talking about food, but of righteousness. 

Before I go into the detail of this word, on the surface, this is one of the Beatitudes which appears to make sense to me without much work. It just sounds right. I think most Pew Sitters like me would understand this verse.  If you really, really want to do the right thing...you probably will. I don't necessarily think it needs much more than that.  But, for me, it leads to a bigger question.  What is the "right thing"? Sometimes this is an easy answer also. If you see someone hungry...feed them.  If you see someone crying...comfort them. If you have hurt someone...apologize. But, most of life just isn't that simple.  The nuances of this question is where it really becomes difficult for me. We all make judgements along the way as to what is right and what is wrong.  Some see things as "black and white" and the line is clear.  But, I think that life is filled with gray and many times it's hard to know what is right and what is wrong. 

Most recently, I have spent a lot of time of this question in my study of same-sex marriage. 

Ok...deep breath...everyone still reading? Anyone still reading? This issue in and of itself is one that, for most people, is black and white.  For most people, there is no gray area here.  

On one hand, people say that God made woman for man and anything outside of that is not consistent with the "orders of creation" as outlined in Genesis is sin. But in addition, there are several verses in the Bible that prohibit same-gender sexual activity. 

On the other hand, people say that God did make woman for man, but that should not prohibit two men or two women who believe God sent his son to die for their sins, and who live a life of expressing that gift with love to their neighbor, that should not prohibit them from having access to God's blessing in marriage. 

So is one right and one wrong? Is one going to heaven and one...not going to heaven? This is just one example of what I am talking about.  There are many issues that divide Christians into what we would call "denominations" today.  Each division was caused by one of these questions.  Most of the time they are not small issues that cause people to break off into their own group of people who believe the same thing, something different from their old church, and form a new church, with a new name, at a new location, with a new pastor.  But, the cross stays the same. Jesus stays the same. He is still God's son delivering the same message to each of us.  We let these questions divide us rather than looking for ways to come together around the gospel.  So, what is Jesus saying to us in this verse? What is he calling us to achieve...righteousness?  What is righteousness? 

One of the things that I have learned to love is to trace the etymology of words in the Bible to their root because it's inevitable that when I do that, it leads to a greater understanding of what God is saying to me in that verse.  In this particular case, the word used in Matthew 5:6 for "righteousness" gets traced from one word to the next and below is a summary. (All of the definitions are from the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon.)

"dikaiosynē" - This is the Greek word used in the original text.  It is defined as "virtue" or "a condition acceptable to God". But that doesn't really answer the question.  So this is from the root word...

"dikaios " - This is defined as "righteous, observing divine laws", "keeping the commands of God". So for me, this doesn't really help much.  It is also defined as "rendering to each his due". This is more in a judicial sense but you can see how righteousness can also be seen then as "you get what you deserve".  But I was still unfulfilled.  So the this comes from the root word...

"dikē" - This is defined as "custom, usage", "the goddess of justice" and "right, just". But, for me, the word "righteousness" is used so many times in the Bible, you would think you could find a definition that doesn't use itself as the definition. So, we move on.  The root word of "dikē" is...

"deiknyō" - This word is the likely root for each of the above.  This doesn't have any further root as defined by the Lexicon.  This word is defined as "to show, expose to the eyes" and it is also used metaphorically as "to teach or give evidence or proof of a thing".  In my mind, this begins to give "righteousness" more meaning. So, what is righteousness? It is doing the right things that we have been taught in both the Words of God and Jesus and in the life of Jesus.  What is it the the life of Jesus proved to us? What did he teach us about the law? 

When it's possible, I always use Jesus' own words.  John 15:9-17 says "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”

So, all of the law is wrapped up into this.  All of God's commands, all of the Old Testament law, the 10 Commandments are all summed up like this...love each other.  So, righteousness is doing the work of love. But, what is love? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evel but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Cor 13:4-7). Righteousness is doing the work of love. 

Those who thirst and hunger for love will be blessed. Do the work of love today and be blessed.