What Are You Seeking?

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Mathew 6:33

Do you worry? Are you content with your life or are you always seeking things to make you happy? Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and you heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Kenneth S. Wuest wrote, “We commit sin when we worry. We do not trust God when we worry. We do not receive answers to prayer when we worry, because we are not trusting.” If our life is not to be preoccupied with fretting over basic needs, what is our concern to be?

James Boice writes the following in his commentary on this passage:

“The answer is, his kingdom and his righteousness. Those two terms are almost synonymous. God’s kingdom means his sovereign rule in heaven and on earth, most particularly in and through the life of the individual believer. To seek his kingdom is to seek to ensure that his righteousness is done in heaven, on earth, and, most particularly, in and through our lives. We are to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness. Everything starts here. This is to be our consuming priority. So it is important to remind ourselves of some basic kingdom realities. How does a person find God’s righteousness that characterizes his kingdom? Jesus started his sermon by pointing out our utter spiritual bankruptcy. We have no righteousness of our own. Even our best attitudes and actions do not procure it. Righteousness comes as a merciful gift, grace through faith (Ephesians 2:4–10). The first reference to righteousness that we find in Scripture is Genesis 15:6. Abraham knew how a person received grace, and the apostle Paul confirmed it (Romans 4:2–25). The New Testament makes it clear that the righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22–24). That is the only way we may enter into God’s kingdom. Jesus clarified this issue for Nicodemus (John 3:3). We cannot see the kingdom of God unless we are “born again.” So everything begins with our seeking his kingdom and righteousness. In fact, we are to keep on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. But we are not to seek in the sense of looking for something hidden. Rather, we are to look for every opportunity to expand more fully his already established rule in our lives and in our world, in anticipation of the day when believers will reign with Him (Matthew 19:27–29; Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26–27; 3:21) when He establishes His kingdom fully on this earth.”

Most of the problems that I see when I counsel individuals is the lack of seeking after the Kingdom of God. Every one of us would have more joy, peace and contentment in our life’s if we would, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark