Hunger and Thirst No More
Dear Christian,
It's time to stop hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus. I know it sounds wrong to read but hear me out. I was taught to consistently hunger and thirst for more of God. I never looked at the teaching critically because it sounds good. However, it's actually the opposite of what following Jesus is about.
Think about it this way - to hunger and thirst is to lack something. Hunger and thirst are terms used by orphans. When you're even taught to hunger and thirst for more knowledge and revelation you'll never be satisfied with 'love like Jesus' ... which is the entirety of the Gospel. We often times would rather bury ourselves in the Scriptures, prayer closets, or at a table of 'theologians' debating theology instead of going out of our way to love people...all people.
You might be thinking BUT Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Indeed, however, Jesus was talking to Jews under the old covenant law. He also concluded that verse by saying...AND THEY WILL BE FILLED...
Fast forward to John 6. Jesus is teaching on how He is the bread of life. He says in verse 35, "Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Once you know your righteousness isn't tied to your behavior but found in the person of Jesus...you become filled...permanently. Filled with purpose, belonging, acceptance, and value. Filled to fill others.
See, you can't be righteous by what you do. You can't be favored or blessed because you give, fast, and pray. You can't be anointed because of your study. You already are righteous, favored, blessed, and anointed because of Jesus in you! The only thing you think you lack is made up in the way you think.
Have you ever noticed the crowds that followed Jesus and how often Jesus needed to retreat from them. Why is that? Because it's exhausting having to spiritually fill people who think they lack what Jesus already provides. The crowds hungered and thirsted for what Jesus did. Therefore, they were never satisfied in who He was...resulting in never being satisfied in who they were. Today, we are often motivated to follow Jesus for what He does rather than for who He is.
So Christian, wake up! Stop longing for a position you already have. Stop longing for more of whatever you think you lack. The only longing that is produced in the Kingdom of God is how you can give what already belongs to you. You lack nothing (not my words, but David's in Psalm 23). So, hungering and thirsting for more isn't the Gospel. It's not even good Christian behavior. It's actually anti-gospel as you refuse to believe Christ is sufficient.
I'm not saying you shouldn't read the Scriptures, pray in a closet, or discuss theology with others. You should definitely do those things. I am saying however, those things don't gain you whatever it is you think you lack. You're already seated at the King's table and He is thrilled to be in your presence! It's time we put our faith to action to change our world for the better. Let's stop living like orphans and recognize our place in the Royal Family.