Some Christians think they’re putting God first in their lives when in actual fact they’re putting themselves, their families, or work first. And some others put God as the last resort or an alternative. Unfortunately, the Lord does not compromise His position in our lives. And as the scripture says, we’re not to have any other god before Him. And anything we put before Him in our lives is a god in our lives. This is why you must understand what seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness means. Truly, this will help you to examine your walk with Him and align properly.

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you – Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV).

What Is ‘Seek First The Kingdom Of God And His Righteousness? (Contd)

7. It’s to put aside your personality for the cause of God

This was what Christ did when He came to earth because He loved God, the Father, and desired to seek His kingdom first. So, He put aside His personality as God, and came and died the most shameful death on the cross. This He suffered because He chose to put the kingdom of God first.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross – Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV).

8. It’s to subdue the desires of the flesh to walk in the Spirit.

Seeking the Lord’s kingdom and His righteousness demands that you put aside the desires of the flesh and obey His word. That is, it’s saying NO to what the flesh is asking you to do and saying YES to what the Spirit of God is telling you to do. And by so doing you put God first.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires – Galatians 5:16, 24 (NKJV).

9. Reaching out to God first in the midst of challenges or chaos

Many times, people don’t remember to consult the Lord until they have exhausted all their alternatives. This displeases God and shows that you don’t believe in Him and all He stands for. Unfortunately, considering Him as a last resort will either make you never get your desire or delay it greatly. So, always go to the Lord first for help, no matter the pressure or who is involved, or time frame. And a simple but short heart cry within you, with faith in God, will make a great difference.

King Asa made this mistake and paid dearly for it. For, he went to King of Syria for help instead of God, so, he lost defeating King of Syria. And when he wouldn’t consult God for his healing, he died of that disease. Therefore, learn to go to the Lord for help first. And the truth remains that He has all the answers and solutions you need in life.

And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign – 2 Chronicles 16:7-8, 12-13 (NKJV).

10. Letting the word of God dictate your thoughts, words, and deeds

If you’re putting God and all that concerns Him first, you will let Him dictate what you do. This means His word will determine your words, thoughts, and deeds. So, you’ll do everything depending on Him. For instance, though Peter had toiled all night and caught nothing, yet at Christ’s word, he let down his net again. And this time, due to his obedience to God’s word, he caught a lot of fish.

Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him – Colossians 3:17 (AMP).

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking -Luke 5:5-6 (NKJV).

11. It’s putting the will of God before your will

Sometimes, the instructions of the Lord are the last things one would want to obey. However, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness demands that you put aside your will and obey His will. This was the case for Abraham, sacrificing his son was the last thing he would want to do. But doing the will of the Father was more important to him than his will. Also, our Lord Jesus Christ didn’t want to go through the sufferings of the cross. But His will had to pass for the Father’s will to prevail. In all, God rewarded both of them greatly for honouring His will above their will.

And said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son — blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies – Genesis 22:16-17 (NKJV).

Saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done – Luke 22:42 (NKJV).

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Philippians 2:8-11 (NKJV).

12. It’s making sacrifices for the sake of Christ

Surrendering yourself or your valued possessions as an offering to God also shows that you’re seeking God first. And the good news is that you will receive hundredfold whatever you sacrifice for the sake of Christ and His gospel. And this you’ll receive here on earth, and later eternal life in heaven.

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life – Mark 10:29-30 (NKJV).

13. It’s to run with God’s heartbeat – winning souls for God

One important thing about the kingdom of God is that the Lord is in the business of reconciling men back to Himself. And He has given the ministry of reconciliation to every believer. This is His purpose and agenda for this season. Therefore, anyone seeking first the kingdom of God will take up this ministry and run with it.

Conclusion

Surely, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is summarized as “To live is to live for Christ and to die is gain”. And as a believing Christian, the life you live now you live by faith in the Son of God. As such, an understanding of these will help you to relax and enjoy your walk with God. Therefore, choose to put God first and all that concerns Him today, and every other thing will be added to you.

Jesus is Lord!

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God bless you.

Ngozi Nwoke

Grace and peace of God be unto you.

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