FIRST SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Many are aware that Jesus said: "Seek first the kingdom of God." But what does this mean? Because it is necessary? How can we fulfill this mandate? 

As part of his famous Sermon on the Mount — one of the most extensive documents of his preaching — Jesus spoke about the common issues that each of us faces in order to survive (Matthew 6: 25-34). How will I fill my needs? Will I have food and drink? Will I have clothes?

Speaking on these issues, Jesus said: “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his justice; and all these things will be added to you ”(v. 33). In essence, Jesus was warning us not to worry about these human interests and rather to give him priority to seek the Kingdom of God.

Why we should seek the Kingdom of God .

The simple, yet profound, reason why we should seek the Kingdom of God is that thousands of years of history show that human beings cannot govern ourselves effectively; and in the end, all human governments with the exception of God will fail.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 14:12 that “there is a way that seems right to man ; but its end is the way of death ”(emphasis added in everything). Jeremiah added: "I know, O Eternal, that man is not lord of his way, nor of the man who walks is to order his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). 

Humans have tried every form of government, but all have finally come to an end. Speaking about the events that will lead to the end of the era in which man governs himself and the principle of God's government on this earth, Jesus said: “Because there will be great tribulation, which has not been since the beginning of the world until now, nor will there be ”. Continuing, He said: "And if those days were not shortened, no one would be saved" (Matthew 24: 21-22). In short, humans need a better government, a government that will be able to produce peace and prosperity forever.

The Bible promises that there will certainly be a better government which will come to this earth to replace all human governments. After explaining that there would be three more world empires, after the one headed by Nebuchadnezzar King, Daniel the prophet wrote: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will raise a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will the kingdom be left to other town; He will crush and consume all these kingdoms, but he will remain forever ”(Daniel 2:44). 

How can we seek the Kingdom and justice of God .

In his teaching Jesus included instruction on how to seek the Kingdom of God: “The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel ”(Mark 1:15). Repentance and faith are the two fundamental stones by which entry into this glorious Kingdom will be allowed.

The reason we must repent is because "all have sinned, and are destitute of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Romans 6:23 adds that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

To repent means that we must change our normal way of thinking, which is contrary to God. The Bible reveals that “the designs of the flesh [the natural, human mind] are enmity against God; because they are not subject to the law of God, nor can they ”(Romans 8: 7). Therefore, we need a change in our thinking that will then lead us to turn away from sin and keep God's commandments. As Jesus said: "If you want to enter life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).

God's plan for us in the Kingdom .

God created the human being in his image with inferior powers and abilities in order to prepare the individual to rule with Him in a government that will be eternal. God's purpose in telling us "seek first the kingdom of God and his justice" is to help us develop, through our experiences in this life, his holy and righteous character and prepare us to rule under Christ as kings and priests on this earth ( Revelation 5:10).