Famished for Righteousness

The Beatitudes, the "blessing sayings," well describe the ideal marks of disciples of Jesus Christ. The 4th Beatitude focuses on a fundamental goal of the Christian, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that is, on right conduct as laid out in the commands of Christ. Although the reality of justification should not be ruled out, it is Christian behavior, attitudes and actions, that seems to be what Jesus is emphasizing. The remaining context of the Sermon on the Mount supports this. The calling to us is for whole-hearted devotion and obedience to Christ - truly happy are those who pursue this great calling.