“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33).
In as much as we are in the world, we are not of the world. Jesus Himself said concerning His disciples, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (Jn 17:14). The day you accepted Jesus into your life was the day you ceased to be of the world. The world lost its ownership of you: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1Cor 6:20). Therefore, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,” (Col 1:13). It is important for us to know this truth, if we are to live up to God’s expectations for us. Those who prioritize the kingdom of God, know and understand the following things concerning the reality of our kingdom citizenship.
The first thing to note in the main scriptural text above is the priority of the kingdom of God. “…seek FIRST the kingdom of God… .” (Matt 6:33) (emphasis mine). The kingdom of God is the rule of God— where He dictates and presides over affairs. This could be in homes, churches, neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces etc. The most important thing to God is the establishment and growth of His kingdom on earth. For this reason, the kingdom of God was John the baptist’s message for his generation. It was also what Jesus preached and taught. The kingdom of God was the message Jesus commanded His disciples to preach : “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:7-9). Jesus spent forty days on earth, after His resurrection, just to speak of the kingdom of God: “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3). The kingdom of God should be our priority.
Secondly, we can only experience the kingdom of God if we seek it. God will not impose His rule on us, hence, the Bible says, “…SEEK first the kingdom of God…” (Matt 6:33) (emphasis mine). We must demonstrate that we desire to have the reality of the kingdom of God. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10). The kingdom of God is not an automatic experiential reality in human affairs, and may or may not be present in a life, home, a church, a neighbourhood etc. This is why, though God knows everything that happens on earth before it does, not everything that happens on earth is His will. The rule of God does not happen among us as a matter of course, it comes as a result of earnest seeking. Do you desire to experience the rule of God in your life, and consequently see His will done in your affairs? “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:12-13). , Psalms 105:4(NIV) shows us what it means to seek the kingdom of God: “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” We can only claim to seek God’s kingdom (His rule) when we look to Him and His strength and, therefore, seek His face always. To look to the LORD and His strength is to rely completely on God and His power and to demonstrate this attitude by seeking His face always. Jesus Himself modelled this way of life, and taught His disciples to do likewise. Therefore, if we desire to see the will of God done in our spheres of influence, as it is done in heaven, we must earnestly seek the invasion of those spheres by the kingdom of God.
Thirdly, The presence of the kingdom of God is an unmistakable reality, that has certain obvious qualities: “But seek first the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS…” (His way of doing and being right AMP)(Matt 6:33) (emphasis mine). The kingdom of has undeniable features, as the following Scriptures reveal: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 14:17), “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (1Cor 4:20). You will find the incontrovertible evidence of righteousness, peace, joy and power—all in the Holy Spirit—wherever the kingdom of God is present. Prior to Philip’s evangelistic visit to Samaria, the city was locked in the vice-like grip of Simon the sorcerer’s demonic influence. However, when Philip introduced the people of that city to Jesus Christ (the kingdom of God personified), the result was as unmistakable as it was glorious: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:5-8). Samaria had a taste of the rule of God under Philip’s ministry, and so should the world around us.
Finally, “…AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU.” (Matt 6:33) (emphasis mine). God has ordained that the things which the people of the world earnestly seek (for their material well-being) should follow us, as we seek His kingdom. God takes sole responsibility for our welfare as His children, and invites us to enjoy His matchless generosity: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philip 4:19). However, we need to bear it in mind that the principles of material provision in the kingdom of God are different from those of the world. While the world recommends that you seek all you can and can all you get, if you want to be rich, the Bible instructs us, “…not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (1Tim 6:17). God invites us all to enjoy true riches, as we make His kingdom the first and most important reality of our lives. Shalom.
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