Gospel of John [16:33]. Why the believer has tribulation in the world [part 6 - righteousness]. Mat 5:3-12; Psa 11.

Title: Gospel of John [16:33]. Why the believer has tribulation in the world [part 6 - righteousness]. MAT 5:3-12; Psa 11.

 

 

MAT 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

 

Yet this righteousness is to be taken as it is in verse 10 as the believers deep craving for conformity to the entire law of God.

 

ROM 8:2

or the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

 

The Old Testament dwells much on this righteousness, as that which alone God regards with approbation.

 

Psa 11 For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

 

PSA 11:1 In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain; [not enduring under the suffering]

 

David rejects the advice of his friends that he should save his life through flight. Hidden in Jehovah, he needs no other refuge.

 

PSA 16:1

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in Thee.

 

PSA 36:7

How precious is Thy loving-kindness, O God!

And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.

 

PSA 11:2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

 

The wicked shoot at the upright. They shoot at those whose character opposes them. In the world you will have tribulation. His advisors want David to come over to their means of solving such a problem, and that is to run.

 

In the midst of tribulation the world will want those who claim to be righteous to return to their way.

 

In other words, “Fantasy play time is over. It’s time to return to reality.”

 

PSA 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?"

 

This is likely a reference to Absalom's secret preparation of rebellion against his father David. The scheme was discovered and the king and his court were told that they should flee. The foundations of the David's kingdom were shaking and those who feared challenged David, what can you do, even though you are righteous? David's response follows. The righteous can do nothing to prevent the kingdom from being destroyed, but what they can do is to continue to walk uprightly, in humility before the Lord of heaven, and continue to trust in Him to deliver.  

 

A better response: “If the foundations are destroyed, what will God do to His glory?”

 

PSA 11:4 The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

 

Eyelids are drawn together in a piercing glare of all that man thinks and does. This is a literary picture of the omniscience of God.

 

PSA 11:5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates.

 

PSA 11:6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.

 

PSA 11:7 For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.

 

What can the righteous do? They continue to walk in uprightness. Beholding the Lord's face is akin to His deliverance. Though David lost the kingdom to his son for a time, it was restored to him and he was able to prepare for the building of the temple. It is impossible to physically see God's face and live, but this is the presentation of God through His love in which He reveals Himself in grace and His deliverance.

 

PSA 23:3 He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

 

PSA 106:1 Praise the Lord!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His loving-kindness is everlasting.

 

PSA 106:2 Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord,

Or can show forth all His praise?

 

PSA 106:3 How blessed are those who keep justice,

Who practice righteousness at all times!

 

PRO 12:28

In the way of righteousness is life,

And in its pathway there is no death.

 

PRO 16:31

A gray head is a crown of glory;

It is found in the way of righteousness.

 

ISA 64:5

Thou dost meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness,

Who remembers Thee in Thy ways.

 

Since hunger and thirst are the keenest of our appetites, our Lord, by employing this figure, plainly means 'those whose deepest cravings are after spiritual blessings.'

 

And in the Old Testament we find this craving variously expressed.

 

ISA 51:6

"Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,

A people in whose heart is My law;

Do not fear the reproach of man,

Neither be dismayed at their revilings.

 

PSA 5:8 O Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness because of my foes;

Make Thy way straight before me.

 

PSA 15:1 O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent?

Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?

 

PSA 15:2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,

And speaks truth in his heart.

 

PSA 119:20 My soul is crushed with longing

After Thine ordinances at all times.

 

In the beatitudes our Lord reveals this blessed frame of mind - a craving for conformity to the righteousness of God in everything.

 

This is walking in a manner worthy of your calling. It is craving to walk that way.

 

EPH 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

 

EPH 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,

 

EPH 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

EPH 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,

 

EPH 4:23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

 

EPH 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

 

The one who craves righteousness will walk in the manner of the new man and suppress the influences and appetites of the old man.

 

EPH 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them [unbelievers];

 

EPH 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

 

EPH 5:9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

 

EPH 5:10 trying to learn [dokimazo = proving] what is pleasing to the Lord.

 

The proof is in doing and then experiencing the blessed results.

 

EPH 6:14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

 

What does the world crave after? According to 1Jo 2 it is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.

 

ROM 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,

 

ROM 6:13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

 

ROM 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.

 

ROM 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

1TI 6:11 But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

 

1TI 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

2TI 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

 

2TI 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

 

2TI 3:17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

 

The reward for those who crave righteousness is a crown of that very name. This craving is guaranteed to be quenched.

 

2TI 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

 

2TI 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

 

This is experiential or practical righteousness and not positional righteousness which all believers are imputed with at the moment of salvation.