Recently my thoughts focused on the concept of hunger and thirst for righteousness. Our Lord declares that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied. Such a hunger and thirst seems to mandate a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to take us on an inward journey that we might discover the attitudes and desires which fertilize our thoughts and actions with unrighteousness. Such an inward look is necessary, but it is difficult—difficult because we fear the discovery of sinful attitudes, strongholds, or experiences which shatter our self-concept or the images we project to others. Often we avoid such a journey because of deep hurts, disappointments, or failures that we have managed to bury without knowing deliverance from them. An inward look is difficult but necessary.
In Romans 6:15-23 the apostle Paul reveals his understanding of the tyranny of unresolved sin in the inner person. He clearly states that choices we make will determine either our freedom in the Lord or enslavement to selfish, shallow desires. In Romans 7 Paul takes the inward journey and acknowledges that he recognizes sin in his members. It is a difficult but blessed journey because Paul did not remain in the frustration of chapter 7. The inward journey is just that—an inward journey. The inward journey intends to take us beyond ourselves into the very heart and love of God. Thus, Paul can say in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He goes on in Romans 8:11 and in verses 28-39 to describe the steadfastness of our Lord’s love for us, which fills us with hope and security.
Therefore, as we dare to allow hunger and thirst to call us to an inward journey, the following wonderful things occur: we find freedom from the tyranny of sin; we are filled with the steadfast love of God as we move beyond ourselves; we are enabled to love ourselves and others; we are enabled to fulfill the two great commandments—to the love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, strength and soul, and to love others as ourselves—upon which all the law and the prophets hang.
“Those who abide in Me will produce much fruit,” our Lord declares.
