Articles
It's All about the Kingdom
It’s All About the Kingdom
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..” - Matthew 6:33 -
It is always a challenge to figure out what comes first in life. Matthew 6:25-32 discusses the worry people have about things that should not really be the first things. There is something that should be a controlling passion in the life of every Christian which is far above where we live, what we put on, or what we eat. It is the kingdom of God and the righteousness found only in Him…
This is not really a surprise to an avid reader of the mountain text (Matthew 5,6,7). The Lord has emphasized in Matthew 5:6, 16, 48; 6:20, how important it is to hunger for God and what is right. The true servant of God should be keenly aware of God alone. It is He who deserves and commands our unreserved ambition and concern. It is in His kingdom we invest our hearts unconditionally. This is God’s summons to every disciple to take His will and let it rule in our life (2 Corinthians 10:5)...
Some who believe in the millennial theory might look at this in anticipation of a future kingdom at Jesus’ return. They fail to see the emphasis is on what God already has done and is doing. God is calling men to duty, not to passively wait in expectation of a future monarchy. Yes, these words are in anticipation of the kingdom Jesus would establish after His death and resurrection (Matt 16:18; Acts 2), but it does not signify some future, “end-of-time” event…
Why does Jesus add “and His righteousness”? Righteousness has been demonstrated throughout the whole sermon on the mount. It is the righteousness of a changed life. It is the practice of true love for others (Matthew 5:43-48). It is the practice of devotion in marriage (Matthew 5:27-32). It is the practice of single-mindedness (Matthew 6:1-18). Seekers of the kingdom of God will develop a relationship with God as a new and transformed life. Such a life affects every part of our existence, relationships, and responsibilities. John Stott said about this text: “So just as Jesus has already called us in the Sermon to a greater righteousness, a wider love and a deeper piety, he now calls us to a higher ambition” (Christian Counter-Culture, p. 169)…
When Jesus says “and all these things shall be added unto you” (6:33), He is simply telling us if we want assurance of “these things”, we must quit seeking them and seek God. This is understandable. If we give ourselves absolutely to the pursuit of things, they will serve to corrupt every other ambition. If we pursuit God first and what is right with Him, all other aspirations of life are enhanced and made more noble because they are based upon a higher purpose - God. You see, life is all about God and His kingdom…
