Seeking First His Kingdom and Righteousness
Introduction. Like the pendulum on a clock, every command will have a variety of responses. Some will take it as far as it can be taken to the right, being as conservative and stringent as possible. Others will take it as far as it can be taken to the left, finding the easiest possible route that could be understood by the words. If we truly want to be exactly in the center, neither left or right, we will have to be very careful. Every command must be carefully weighed. Since each generation chooses its own middle, it will always be difficult to stay on the right path: “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” (Deut. 5:32)
When commands are taken too far, they violate God’s intent. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for taking God’s commands and adding additional commands to make them more stringent. When His disciples were condemned for eating food without washing their hands, Jesus revealed God cared nothing about washing hands. They had created this tradition themselves and thought it made them more righteous, but it actually had only made their worship vain. “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” (Mk. 7:8-9). Later, Jesus told His disciples, “to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man!” (Mt. 15:20). Sadly, the attitude of the Pharisees lives on in multitudes today who use the law of Moses or their own imagination to bind on Christians what God no longer demands: “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle...” These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Col. 2:21-23). Entire chapters have been written (Rom. 14; 1Cor. 7-10) to help us navigate the thorny decisions that must be made regarding taking God’s commands too far.
There is also danger when God’s commands are not taken far enough. Jesus warned all disciples that the command to murder included anger and contempt. The command against adultery also included all lusts and uncleanness leading up to it. (Mt. 5:21-30). All sin begins with lust and enticement. If we don’t cut off the roots, the plant remains. (Jas. 1:14-15).
Solomon captured the dilemma of this swinging pendulum to each generation: “Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.” (Ecc. 7:16-18)
Yet, although our quest to deal with sin is an important part of seeking righteousness, there is another vast area that many overlook. Jesus warned all disciples at the end of the sermon that “everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does them is wise,” while “everyone who hears and does not do them is foolish.” James added to this when he said: “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (Mt. 7:24-27; Jas. 4:17). Hence those who truly “seek first” make “Jesus’ words” and the things “we know to good,” the highest priority in their life.
Once again, we have to ask ourselves how much is enough and is there too much? That pendulum works in each generation for His positive commands, just as much as in our avoidance of sin. Multitudes today following the doctrines such as “faith only” or “once saved always saved” have a much lower level of concern. They have proclaimed we are saved by faith alone and have little need of works. Some carry this further than others, but it greatly impacts our understanding of “seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness.”
So, where do we begin? How do we determine where the level must be set for setting aside our own lives in order to seek first something else? Paul helps us greatly by using Jesus’ own example to reveal what we are striving for. “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient (even) unto death” (Phil. 2:5-8).
There can be no doubt of the depth of this sacrifice. He gave up everything He had to serve God. Not until the task was complete did He return to His former glory. If we must have the same mind, then it is evident that He has the same expectations of us. Over and over again Jesus spoke on this theme. In the parable of the hidden treasure, He spoke of selling all we have. He also reminded us that we are not worthy of Him or to be His disciples unless we place him above mother and father, husband and wife, parents and children and our own lives. We must love Him more and appear to hate all other things in order to hold fast to Him (Mt. 13:44; 10:35-39; Lk. 14:26-27).
As Paul spoke of his own life, he revealed the extent of his own commitment. “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ... Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing (I do), forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded.” (Phil. 3:7-18)
As we carefully consider this passage, we see some very obvious things. First, like Jesus, when Paul became a Christian, he considered anything that was in the way to be lost and left behind. He saw all his prior pursuits that were now hindrances as rubbish. Hence, the first part of “seeking first” is an honest assessment of what is holding us back. Selling all that we have can be very painful, but if it is in the way, it has to be done. Second, we must continue to grow and never be content with what has already been sacrificed. Each day is a new opportunity to seek first more.
When he closes the section with “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us,” it is impossible to escape the conclusion that we have to follow both Jesus (have this mind) and Paul (follow my example).
Some of the key areas for us to consider are listed below. As we consider them, it will become obvious to us which one we are seeking first. Equally obvious is the one we ought to be seeking first.
Conclusion. When Jesus asked us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, He had a clear and objective standard by which to judge us. In each of the above situations, Jesus has made it very clear where He wants our priorities to lie. When we stand before Him, He will render a verdict that will lead to eternal life or eternal death. The time to think about these things is NOW while there is still time to do something about it!
When commands are taken too far, they violate God’s intent. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for taking God’s commands and adding additional commands to make them more stringent. When His disciples were condemned for eating food without washing their hands, Jesus revealed God cared nothing about washing hands. They had created this tradition themselves and thought it made them more righteous, but it actually had only made their worship vain. “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” (Mk. 7:8-9). Later, Jesus told His disciples, “to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man!” (Mt. 15:20). Sadly, the attitude of the Pharisees lives on in multitudes today who use the law of Moses or their own imagination to bind on Christians what God no longer demands: “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle...” These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Col. 2:21-23). Entire chapters have been written (Rom. 14; 1Cor. 7-10) to help us navigate the thorny decisions that must be made regarding taking God’s commands too far.
There is also danger when God’s commands are not taken far enough. Jesus warned all disciples that the command to murder included anger and contempt. The command against adultery also included all lusts and uncleanness leading up to it. (Mt. 5:21-30). All sin begins with lust and enticement. If we don’t cut off the roots, the plant remains. (Jas. 1:14-15).
Solomon captured the dilemma of this swinging pendulum to each generation: “Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.” (Ecc. 7:16-18)
Yet, although our quest to deal with sin is an important part of seeking righteousness, there is another vast area that many overlook. Jesus warned all disciples at the end of the sermon that “everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does them is wise,” while “everyone who hears and does not do them is foolish.” James added to this when he said: “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (Mt. 7:24-27; Jas. 4:17). Hence those who truly “seek first” make “Jesus’ words” and the things “we know to good,” the highest priority in their life.
Once again, we have to ask ourselves how much is enough and is there too much? That pendulum works in each generation for His positive commands, just as much as in our avoidance of sin. Multitudes today following the doctrines such as “faith only” or “once saved always saved” have a much lower level of concern. They have proclaimed we are saved by faith alone and have little need of works. Some carry this further than others, but it greatly impacts our understanding of “seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness.”
So, where do we begin? How do we determine where the level must be set for setting aside our own lives in order to seek first something else? Paul helps us greatly by using Jesus’ own example to reveal what we are striving for. “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient (even) unto death” (Phil. 2:5-8).
There can be no doubt of the depth of this sacrifice. He gave up everything He had to serve God. Not until the task was complete did He return to His former glory. If we must have the same mind, then it is evident that He has the same expectations of us. Over and over again Jesus spoke on this theme. In the parable of the hidden treasure, He spoke of selling all we have. He also reminded us that we are not worthy of Him or to be His disciples unless we place him above mother and father, husband and wife, parents and children and our own lives. We must love Him more and appear to hate all other things in order to hold fast to Him (Mt. 13:44; 10:35-39; Lk. 14:26-27).
As Paul spoke of his own life, he revealed the extent of his own commitment. “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ... Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing (I do), forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded.” (Phil. 3:7-18)
As we carefully consider this passage, we see some very obvious things. First, like Jesus, when Paul became a Christian, he considered anything that was in the way to be lost and left behind. He saw all his prior pursuits that were now hindrances as rubbish. Hence, the first part of “seeking first” is an honest assessment of what is holding us back. Selling all that we have can be very painful, but if it is in the way, it has to be done. Second, we must continue to grow and never be content with what has already been sacrificed. Each day is a new opportunity to seek first more.
When he closes the section with “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us,” it is impossible to escape the conclusion that we have to follow both Jesus (have this mind) and Paul (follow my example).
Some of the key areas for us to consider are listed below. As we consider them, it will become obvious to us which one we are seeking first. Equally obvious is the one we ought to be seeking first.
- Mt. 6:19-20 Spiritual treasures instead of material treasures.
- 1Tim. 4:7-8 Spiritual exercises instead of bodily exercise.
- Jn. 6:27-29 Spiritual food for the spirit instead of physical food for the body.
- 1Pet. 3:3-4 Spiritual adornment of the soul instead cosmetic adornment of the body
- Mt. 6:10 God's will done on earth as in heaven, instead of my will. Lk 22:42
- 2Cor. 4:16-18 Things that are not seen more real and important than the things we can see
- Heb. 11:13-16 Spiritual home instead of a physical home.
- Col. 3:1-2 Setting our minds on things above where Christ is instead of what is on earth.
Conclusion. When Jesus asked us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, He had a clear and objective standard by which to judge us. In each of the above situations, Jesus has made it very clear where He wants our priorities to lie. When we stand before Him, He will render a verdict that will lead to eternal life or eternal death. The time to think about these things is NOW while there is still time to do something about it!