The Kingdom!

The Kingdom!

Matthew 6:33 AMP

[33] But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

This is yet another verse taken from the first Sermon of Jesus on the mountain. This was His first engagement with the disciples He had chosen, and He needed to lay down the standards and expectations of His kingdom. It was not like all other kingdoms that had come and gone before His time; there was a time Egypt was the reigning dynasty. There were various times over the centuries that the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Grecian, Roman, British, Chinese, Mongol and many others ruled the world. However, as we know, none of these dynasties or empires has remained in place. This proves that nothing set up by man was made to last forever. 

It has to be emphasized also that Jesus was speaking to a specific audience: His disciples, who were men who had made a decision to leave all and follow Him. They had a choice to make, and I am sure that there were some people who wanted to be part of His inner circle but were not chosen. But for all who were chosen then, and all who decide to come into this new relationship with Christ, we have to know that we are called into a kingdom. A definition of kingdom that fits our reflection today is: "anything conceived as constituting a realm or sphere of independent action or control". It is an independent entity; not under the control or influence of anything else.

The charge is for those who have made the decision to submit to and follow Christ. It will be a mismatch to claim allegiance to Christ, yet claim independence from Him at the same time. You cannot be a Christian and be a free agent at the same time. If I am indeed a child of God, I am to seek after, pursue, promote and preserve the interests, principles and practices of the kingdom of God. The verse above charges us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Righteousness is the nature of God, which means that I am to seek to be like God in all I do. Whenever men see me, they must see His imprint on my life. Can this be said to be true about me?

Once the foundation is secure, and my heart is set on the right focus, then the other bits can find their rightful place. If nothing else can replace God at the centre of my heart, then it means that I can focus on other things that the world may need. I can make and spend money; I can be hospitable; i can do acts of charity; I can invest in people. Once God knows that nothing can take His place in my heat, He knows He can give me anything else. He wants to bless in abundance, but He also wants to secure etermal life for me. May nothing be more important to me than that which glorifies, promotes, and honours God, making Him known to the world around me. God's time of favour is here.