The Greatest Pursuit of All - Proverbs 21:21

He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.   Proverbs 21:21
 
What are you pursuing in life?  It is not unusual to hear someone say that they are pursuing a career in some field of endeavor.  When we hear someone say this we know that they are puting their energies and their time into study and practice of that discipline.  It means that they have a goal in front of them and that goal is what guides them in much of what they do.  Thus the question begs to be asked, "What are your pursuing when it comes to spiritual things?"  
 
God points us to wisdom by telling us that there are two things that are very worthy of pursuit when it comes to spiritual matters.  These two things are righteousness and loyalty.  Today we will take a closer look at what it means to pursue these two things.  We will also see in the rewards that God says come to those to follow this pursuit the reason why this is exceedingly wise.
 
When God says to pursue these things He uses the word, "radaph."  This word means to chase or to follow after closely and with great effort and energy.  The idea is that one is not just to pursue - but one is to overtake these things.  The mindset is that we will not be content with a life without righteousness and without loyalty.  These are things we must have - and thus in our pursuit we are passionate and totally committed.  This is not a hobby or just something to add to our resume.  This is a hot pursuit that is pleased only with the eventual 'catching' or 'having' of these things.  Nothing else will do.
 
We pursue righteousness - which in Hebrew is "tsedequah."  This word means righteousness abstractly - but when applied to how we live our lives it speaks of moral rectitude - of a desire to have our lives measure up to a standard of right and good that is found in God and in His Word.  It speaks of living a life of justice in how we relate to others and especially how we relate to the poor and unfortunate.  The word refers to a moral standard that is not set according to the world and its views.  The moral standard and sentiment we embrace is that which is found in the pages of Scripture.  Yet the righteousness we seek is not by law.  The Scriptures which speak of this righteousness say that we obtain it by faith.  It is not a set of rules - it is a person - the Lord Jesus Christ.  Ultimately we pursue Him for only He can transform us and make us righteous.  
 
We also pursue loyalty.  The Hebrew word used here is "chesed" which refers to more than just a loyalty.  This is the word that most closely relates to the New Testament word grace.  It is the word that is used to describe God's love and commitment to His covenant people.  It is easily translated, "covenant-love."  Paul says to us in the New Testament to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  What we are to pursue in life is the grace of God.  We live by grace - and advance in life by grace.  In pursuing grace - we are kind of pursuing the One who is pursuing us.  We pursue love and commitment.  We pursue a selflessness that is evidenced by the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Kind of cool here to see that even in an Old Testament proverb we are told to pursue righteousness by faith and a God who gives us such a righteousness by His loving, selfless grace.  
 
What will we find when we give ourselves to such a pursuit?  We are told of three things.  First is that we will receive life.  "Chayim" is the word for life here - and it simply means life itself.  We are made alive when we pursue these two wonderful things.  Consider the New Testament call to us - that when we pursue Christ, Who is the ultimate source of life - the ultimate way of life - and who is the life itself - we receive eternal life.  This is the life of God, Who alone is eternal.  We have a quality of life that can only be received from God Himself.  Second in our set of three blessings is "righteousness."  This is the same word as was used earlier - and it simply means that in seeking and pursuing righteousness - we receive righteousness as a gift by faith - through the grace of God.  This does not mean we attain righteousness by our own choice of lifestyle.  The fact is we are given righteousness by a gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  We are stunned to learn that when God gives us this gift - we are just as righteous as Jesus Himself - by God's wonderful gift - and as a result of that - we can be transformed to reflect that righteousness in all our ways.  The third in this list of glorious benefits is honor.  The word for honor here is "kavod" and it is the word God uses for glory.  When we pursue the proper things - it is to the glory of God - and we receive from it the honor of His working in our hearts.  What a glorious gift is ours - to receive the glory of salvation - the glory of God's righteousness - the glory of being at peace with God - the glory of His marvelous transformation of our lives.  This is ours when we pursue the One Who in His mercy pursues us by grace.
 
Want to know what to pursue in life?  Pursue God!  That is the ultimate answer when all is said and done with today's proverb.  It is a wise thing to pursue God - and to pursue His righteousness by His grace.  This is both the ultimate pursuit in life and the ultimate prize!  Oh the glories of pursuing the One Who pursues us!  Oh the joy of capturing the One Who by grace captures our hearts.  Pursue, dearest saints - pursue for you will find as you do - that you are gloriously pursued by the One Who loves you more than you could ever dream of being loved!