What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God when you don’t want to get back into performance or legalism? That’s a question I’ve been pondering a lot recently. Jesus says to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness in Matthew 6, but as with so many things in Scripture, we’ve taken this to mean that we have to generate the Kingdom ourselves and our performance is graded to see how well we are seeking.
The context of the verse is in relation to pursuing or being obsessed with provision—food, clothes, etc. Jesus says instead of being fixated on what you might need or think you need, to run after His reality. This isn’t just in heaven, as in Luke 17:20-21, Jesus says the Kingdom of God is already expanding among some of those around Him. And Romans 14:17-18 says that the Kingdom isn’t a bunch of rules about eating and drinking, but rather the realm of the Holy Spirit. And serving Jesus by walking in the kingdom realities was pleasing to God.
So, I believe that seeking first the Kingdom of God is actively pursuing God’s perspective and reality rather than depending on our own perspective and perceived needs. This doesn’t mean performing or producing at all, but rather agreeing with God about who we are in Him, the abundant life He is generating in and through us, and the rest out of which everything else comes. What a relief!
No going back to trying to conquer for Jesus—rest in the reality of who He is in and through you, agreeing with His perspective and actively seeking His Kingdom as He displays it through you all the time and expands it every day in relationship with Him.
Practically, I think seeking the Kingdom means that every day I ask for Jesus’ perspective on what is happening, and wait expectantly for His provision of everything I need. I don’t shrink back in fear or worry because that’s not the Kingdom—the Kingdom reality is that I am able to walk through any circumstance because of His power within me, and I wait with expectation for His abundant provision. It probably won’t look the way I expected it to, but I don’t think His Kingdom ever has!
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules about food and drink, but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy. Serving the Anointed One by walking in these kingdom realities pleases God and earns the respect of others. Romans 14:17-18