Afternoon Y'all! I pray this post encourages you and gives God glory! Got suggested topics you want me to write about? Please comment below or email me at info@mocatoday.com.
If you've been around Christian circles of any length, I'm sure you've heard someone say, "Seek God first with all your heart and then He'll take care of the rest!" Anytime I would hear this, I would nod in agreement... Because of course, if I'm a Christian, surely, I know what seeking God first looks like, right? Wrong! It wasn't until a few years ago, after thorough Bible study and time with the Lord, did I unpack what Jesus commanded in the middle of His Sermon on the Mount when He said,
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. -Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
First, what is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is the sovereign rule and redemptive, saving reign of the one true, holy, righteous, living God– not to be confused with the realm of God. Compellingtruth.org describes the Kingdom of God as, "an entity with both spiritual and physical manifestations, depending on the period of history, which indicates God's special rule through Jesus Christ. This kingdom was first established during Jesus's earthly life and continues still at a spiritual level made up of those who believe in Him for their salvation" until Christ's second coming.
Pastor John Piper's breakdown:
Means the reign of God, not the realm of God. (Matthew 6:33)
Refers to His saving reign, not to His total providence over all things. (Matthew 6: 9-10)
Is fulfilled partially in the present and will be consummated at the end of the age when Christ comes a second time. (1 Corinthians 6:9)
The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Christ are the same. (Ephesians 5:5)
Take Note: Jesus Christ is King! And, currently His Kingdom sits in our hearts, made possible by the Holy Spirit.
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. -Romans 14:17 (NKJV)
Who has access to the Holy Spirit?
Where does the Holy Spirit indwell?
Answer:
Only in the hearts of those that believe in Jesus Christ and made Him their Lord and Savior.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession— to the praise of His glory. -Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Second, how do we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?
It starts with the King, Jesus Christ! To seek the Kingdom of God, means to seek the King of kings, the Lord of lords– Jesus Christ – not with just "lip service" (our words), but in action, a way of life.
How do we seek Jesus Christ?
Answer:
By first, becoming a genuine believer and follower of Him. We must repent, declare Christ is our personal Savior, and then make Him the Lord (or ruler or master) of our lives.
The fruit of making Christ our Lord and Savior is a personal relationship with Him, heart of repentance, and Christlike character growth.
Since Christ's nature is righteous (right standing before God, having the attitude and character of God), after we become a child of His via salvation (John 1:12, I John 3:1), the Holy Spirit can indwell, and give us abilities and capacities to demonstrate righteousness in how we think, act, and feel in all areas of daily life.
Pastor Lyle Pettit from Calvary Baptist Church provides a practical summary of what seeking Christ and His righteousness looks like:
Let God be first in your life! Put God first! Put spiritual things above material things!
Give God the first part of your day [with prayer and Bible study]!
Give God the first day of your week [keep the Sabbath]!
Give God the first part of your income [pay your tithes]!
Give God first place in your heart [study His Word, make Him ruler of your life, seek His will in all matters, become a Christ disciple]!
Your life here will last at best a few years, but the life here-after will last for eternity! What is your greatest desire for today? Is it to please God and seek His will, and lay up riches for eternity? Or, is it to live for the things of this world, without much thought of eternity? -Pastor Lyle Pettit
My dear friend, believe God and give Him first place in your life! Obey Him and seek to do His will. God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded and surrendered to Him. -Pastor Lyle Pettit
Third, what happens after we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness?
Second half of Matthew 6:33– Jesus promises that after believers make Him, His ways, things of His Kingdom first priority in all areas of our lives, He'll then take care our needs– ensuring they're added to us or provided.
But, what does that look like?
It doesn't look like what the erroneous prosperity gospels promote. No, it doesn't look like we can now expect to have a perfect, prosperous, worry-free, easy life. Or, that our lives will now be "fixed" and without challenges.
Instead, it looks like– Because we're in the right standing with God and made Jesus Lord over our lives, our pursuits change from worldly character and worldly (self-centered) material needs to Christlike character and God-willed (Christ-centered) material needs. This makes way for Christ to provide our God-willed needs. Compellingtruth.org explains, "We can have the surety necessary to keep in perspective the power of God over our lives, reducing our need to worry."
Pastor Dave Meyers describes,
If we keep His Kingdom at the front of our mind (instead of third or fourth on our to-do list, or just something we’ll get to when we have the time), He’ll bless our efforts to provide for our families and provide us with our daily needs (Matthew 6:11).
Given above, do you now have a better understanding of what Jesus's command and promise from Matthew 6:33 practically looks like?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Remember, it's all about progression, not perfection! God loves you! With Him, you got this! Until next post, may God give you His peace and blessings!
-Natasha
Just a few reminders:
We're in this together! Connect with other Mocas, join our private Facebook group. You can also subscribe to our site below and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Looking for inspirational clothing and jewelry? Shop our online store.
Comments