Hungering for Righteousness.
By R. F. Andrews
THE last days were to be noted by the existence of a class of very degenerate professors of religion. 2 Tim. 3:1–5. The great mass would be satisfied with the form without "the power." Instead of earnestly seeking to know what God would have them do, they were to busy themselves in climbing "up some other way;" and "having itching ears," they were to "turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. It is evident that the time described by Paul has arrived, and that the perils of the last days are upon us. How men and women professing godliness can cling to the hoary-headed traditions and corruptions of that power which was to think to change the law of God, and to exalt himself above God (Dan. 7:25; 2 Thess. 2:4), after their attention has been called to the matter, is truly wonderful. Our adorable Saviour has said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." Matt. 5:6. Righteousness! What is it? John says, "All unrighteousness is sin," 1 John 5:17; and "sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. This being the truth, of course righteousness would be the opposite, and is obedience to the law. That this is the exact truth is most clearly proved by the Scriptures. "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law." Isa. 51:7. "All thy [God's] commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172. "Let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous." 1 John 3:7. Notice, it is not he that believeth righteousness, professeth righteousness, or even teacheth righteousness, but he that doeth righteousness. Again, the Lord by Isaiah says, chap. 48:18, "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God." Deut. 6:25. Hence, righteousness is right doing—a righteous life is a life in conformity with God's holy, just, and good law. Hunger and thirst are very strong terms. It has been said that "hunger will break through stone walls," and it often has. Men, urged on by the keen gnawings of hunger, have dared to imperil their lives to get food. Women have even cooked their own children to satisfy the intense feelings of hunger. 2 Kings 6:29. How anxious the weary traveler is, as he marches under the burning rays of the summer's sun, for a cooling drink from the sparkling fountain to quench his thirst! See that look of distress, bordering almost upon despair, depicted on the countenances of the passengers on board that noble ship, in mid-ocean, as they hear it announced, "Our water is spent, there is no more fresh water on board the ship." As thirst presses upon them, they become more and more anxious. There is no carelessness, there is no indifference among them. Dear reader, do you so hunger and thirst after the commandments of God, after righteousness? Are you as anxious to know what God commands as the famishing person is to get food, as the individual perishing with thirst is to obtain a refreshing draught from the cooling fountain? If you have been a reader of this paper for any length of time, you know the position is not only taken, but sustained, that Sunday-keeping is a human tradition that makes void one of the commandments of God. How do you feel over this matter? Do you acknowledge that the arguments are conclusive, and the proof clear? and are you still saying by your actions that it makes no difference whether you respect the commandment of God or the tradition of men? "If the Lord be God," why not respect his authority? Oh! why not bow to his will? "Behold to obey is better than sacrifice." There is nothing so acceptable in the sight of God as a cheerful, faithful, willing, complete obedience to his holy will. How can you give "sleep to your eyes and slumber to your eyelids," until you have ascertained the will of God in this matter? Be entreated by one who loves you, and would seek your best good, even your eternal interests, do not carelessly, and indifferently, turn away from an investigation of this solemn matter. It involves the weekly violation of one of the ten precepts of Jehovah. "As the hart pants after the water brooks," so may you desire to know what God would have you do; and then lovingly do it. Some people claim they are investigating for truth, when they are only seeing how many objections can be raised against it, and if there cannot be some argument that will offset one in favor of it. May you not be of that class who labor to find something to excuse them from obedience to God. But may the prayer of your heart be like that of David: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Ps. 119:18. "Show me thy ways, O Lord; . . . lead me in thy truth and teach me." Ps. 25:4, 5.