“He shall not fail, nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment (justice) in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law.” Isaiah 42:4
Dear Ones:
In the “Lord’s Prayer,” after the reverential beginning in worship of the Father, the Lord Jesus instructs us to pray: “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done.” He concludes the prayer by saying, “…for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever.” Why does He instruct us to pray in this manner, especially addressing the issue of the kingdom of God, and its power? The answer lies in what is just and right in the sight of God…the right thing, the just thing. It is God who sets the standard, and provides the power, for our understanding, and adherence to that which is right, according to His purpose, nature, and means…for His glory.
In the sixth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, we read the Lord Jesus’ words: “…but seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (v.33) Again, why does He speak of the kingdom of God as being so very important, indeed the first thing that we should seek? And then, why does He say that we should seek His righteousness at the same time? What does He mean by this? Simply put, God’s kingdom is that over which He reigns, has authority, and responsibility. The fact that we are to seek His righteousness, is because it is the right thing to do in the eyes of God. To not do so, is to do and engage in that which is not right, and good, for it does not correspond to what God IS and wills. How does this apply to our lives, and those of all in this world?
In Jesus’ day, the Jewish nation was, by in large, very closed to the idea that the “gospel” was for all nations, all peoples. The religious sects of His day, primarily the Pharisees and the Sadducees, did not believe for the most part, that the Messiah’s coming was for the purpose of saving all men, Jews and Gentiles alike. Even after Pentecost, the disciples of Christ, had difficulty in believing that the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, of which the prophet Joel spoke and Peter preached, was for the entire “world,” Jews and Gentiles. It was only when the Spirit of God was manifestly poured out on the Gentile believers, confirmed by the same signs, that the original disciples had seen and experienced, that they became convinced that the Gospel was for the Gentiles also.
In turning back to our subject, the consideration of the “kingdom that is not of this world,” and that which is righteous, or right, in the sight of God, let’s look at Jesus, and what He said about what is called, “The Great Commission.” After His resurrection, He told His disciples: “All power (or authority) is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19) We have here the very clear, and precise, command to “seek FIRST His kingdom and righteousness,” as it applies to the spreading of the knowledge of that kingdom, with its accompanying power. He goes on to say, “…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The Kingship, or reign, of Christ is first to be preached to all nations, because He is the ultimate Authority, King, Monarch…and God. It is the right thing to do in His eyes. The extent of His reign will be determined by the spreading of the truth of the Gospel. The power of that reign, will be known by the moving of the Spirit upon the heart.
Dear Father, anoint our eyes to see as You see, and to grasp something of the magnitude of this Great Commission which You have given to Your church. Fill us with strength, and grace, to seek first Thy kingdom, knowing that You ARE with us, and will bless us in this great endeavor, for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad