Point of Order
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6: 31 – 34)
JESUS CHRIST said: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Thus, He has given to us the table of contents for a contented, contributing life.
People who fail to order life after this insightful instruction crucify themselves daily between two thieves: the regrets of yesterday and the worries about tomorrow.
Observe the simple segments of this stellar statement:
PURSUIT – “Seek”
The verb “seek” implies being absorbed in the search for, a persevering effort to obtain. “Be constantly seeking…”
The intensity with which we must perpetually “seek” His will is found in a statement from Hebrews 12:1 & 2 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…”
“Looking” translates the word “ap-horan.” It reveals the single mindedness of the search. “Ap” means “from, away from.” “Horan” means “to look.” Thus, we are to consciously look always from those worldly things that might attract us and deliberately focus our undivided attention of Christ.
PRIORITY – “First”
Apart from only a few, most persons you know likely seek the kingdom or at some time or other intend to seek it. He who knew the heart, our beloved Lord, knew it necessary to establish a point of order. He knew there had to be a FIRST.
The reason for so much discontent and unhappiness is that His intended order is not kept. Satan knows he can’t kill our desire for the kingdom so he seeks to misdirect it.
POSITION – “Kingdom”
The kingdom is a gift. However, out of gratitude for the gift we must serve the King.
POSSESSION – “Rightness”
Scripture notes, “There are none righteousness, no not one.” (Romans 3: 10) It is as a result of an obedient faith commitment to Jesus that His righteousness is credited to our account. As a result we will stand before judgment in heaven as righteous as Jesus, because His righteousness will be credited to our account.
“…not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.” (Philippians 3: 9)
That should inspire a faith walk . . . today and every day.