What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

The phrase "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" comes from the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Matthew 6:33. This directive from Jesus is profound and central to Christian living, encapsulating a call to prioritize God's rule and standards above all else in our lives. To fully understand what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, we need to explore the concepts of the Kingdom of God and righteousness as they are presented throughout the Scriptures.

Understanding the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is a multifaceted concept that appears throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. At its core, the Kingdom of God refers to God's sovereign rule and reign over all creation. In the Old Testament, the Kingdom is often associated with God's covenant with Israel and His kingship over His chosen people. For instance, in Psalm 103:19, it is written, "The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all."

In the New Testament, the Kingdom of God takes on a more immediate and personal dimension with the arrival of Jesus Christ. Jesus' ministry was marked by the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. In Mark 1:15, Jesus begins His public ministry by saying, "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" Here, Jesus is announcing that the Kingdom of God is breaking into history through His own life, death, and resurrection.

The Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. It is present wherever God's will is done—wherever justice, peace, and love prevail. Yet, it is also something that will be fully realized in the future when Christ returns and God's perfect reign is established forever. This dual aspect is captured in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

What It Means to Seek the Kingdom

To seek the Kingdom of God means to prioritize God's rule and reign in every aspect of our lives. It involves a conscious, deliberate effort to align our thoughts, actions, and desires with God's will. This seeking is not a passive endeavor but an active pursuit. It requires us to continually turn our hearts and minds toward God, seeking to understand His purposes and to live in accordance with His principles.

In practical terms, seeking the Kingdom of God means making choices that reflect God's priorities. It means loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), forgiving those who wrong us (Matthew 6:14-15), and seeking justice for the oppressed (Micah 6:8). It means living out the values of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking.

Moreover, seeking the Kingdom of God involves a reorientation of our values and goals. Jesus warns against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of earthly treasures, urging us instead to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). When we seek the Kingdom of God first, we recognize that our ultimate allegiance is to God, not to the transient and often deceptive allurements of this world.

Understanding His Righteousness

The second part of Jesus' command is to seek "His righteousness." In the Bible, righteousness is closely linked with justice, holiness, and moral integrity. It is about being in right relationship with God and with others. In the Old Testament, righteousness is often associated with living in accordance with God's laws and commandments. For example, in Deuteronomy 6:25, it is written, "And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."

In the New Testament, righteousness takes on a deeper, more transformative meaning through the life and teachings of Jesus. Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets, embodying perfect righteousness and offering it to us through faith in Him. As Paul writes in Romans 3:22, "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

To seek His righteousness, therefore, means to pursue a life that reflects the character and standards of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. It means allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out, producing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It means striving to live in a way that honors God and reflects His holiness, even when it is counter-cultural or difficult.

The Promise of Provision

One of the remarkable aspects of Jesus' command to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is the promise that accompanies it: "and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, "all these things" refers to the basic necessities of life—food, drink, and clothing. Jesus assures us that when we prioritize God's Kingdom and righteousness, God will take care of our needs.

This promise is a call to trust in God's provision and faithfulness. It challenges us to let go of anxiety and worry about our material needs, knowing that our Heavenly Father knows what we need and is able to provide for us. As Jesus says earlier in the passage, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25).

Living Out the Command

Living out the command to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is a lifelong journey. It involves daily choices and a continual surrender to God's will. It requires us to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with God through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and participation in the life of the Christian community.

One practical way to live out this command is through the practice of spiritual disciplines. These are habits and practices that help us to grow in our relationship with God and to align our lives with His purposes. They include practices such as prayer, fasting, Bible study, worship, service, and hospitality. Through these disciplines, we open ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and grow in our ability to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness.

Another important aspect of living out this command is engaging in acts of love and justice. Jesus' ministry was marked by compassion for the marginalized and a commitment to justice. As His followers, we are called to continue this work, advocating for the oppressed, caring for the poor, and working for the common good. This is a tangible way to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness in our world.

Conclusion

In summary, to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is to prioritize God's rule and standards in every aspect of our lives. It involves a deliberate and active pursuit of God's will, a reorientation of our values and goals, and a commitment to living in accordance with God's character as revealed in Jesus Christ. It is a call to trust in God's provision and faithfulness, knowing that when we seek His Kingdom and righteousness, He will take care of our needs. It is a lifelong journey that requires daily choices, spiritual disciplines, and engagement in acts of love and justice. May we continually seek God's Kingdom and righteousness, allowing His rule and reign to shape our lives and our world.