Matthew 6:33
What is success?
Depending on who you ask, the definition of success may vary quite a bit. But what we do know for sure is that success from a human standpoint doesn’t necessarily mean success before God. Because, what we value as human, rarely satisfies God. God’s standards are higher than ours. God says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9, NIV).
Therefore, in order to please God and be successful from God’s point of view, we’ve got some work to do. Thankfully, our God is always ready to lend us a hand. So, don’t worry. Jesus shares some secrets with us in Mathew 6:28-34.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The key to success from God’s point of view, is found in Matthew 6:33.Therefore,if you don’t remember anything else from this study, remember what Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Now, what does it mean to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness? And how do we do that?
Well, to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness means that we need to make a choice and decide who will be in the driver seat of our lives. Will we drive or will God? And this choice encompasses all aspects of life. It means that you will no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2). It all starts up there with a changed mindset. Once we let God drive, our lives will change completely. Even the apostle Paul discovered that it changed the way that he regarded people (2 Cor. 5:16). We will learn to see people through the eyes of Christ and to treat everyone fairly, despite their shortcomings.
To seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, means, to bring glory to God in everyway possible. In John 17:4 Jesus tells us how He glorified his Heavenly Father: “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
Jesus was saying that: In order to please you father, I obeyed your will. In order to glorify your name, Father, I am ready to do anything. In order to glorify your name, I’m ready to even go to the cross. Philippians 2:8 tells us that Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Jesus was all about doing God’s will. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39 NIV)
So, if we want to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, we must behave like Christ. Don’t let your own will or someone’s else will get in the way. Sometimes we know the right thing to do and we want to do it, but someone dear to us may feel otherwise. If we are not careful, that may lead us to sin. As someone said, “Sometimes, family or friends encourage us to pursue “our pound of flesh” instead of forgiving. We need to take courage and act upon God’s Word.”
God commands that we forgive. God commands that we deny ourselves and obey his will with all humility. This we must do in order to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. We do it knowing that our actions condemn those who reject God – but are able by God’s strength. Brothers and sisters, may God help us to seek to please him and him alone so that we can have eternal life.
If you are reading this article but have not yet obeyed the gospel, then please note that God’s command for us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness is addressed to you as well.This requires you to make the decision to willfully deny yourself, to trust God and let him lead. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov. 14:12). But whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
So, make a choice!!! Choose to obey God so that you too can be saved.
In Mark 16:16 Jesus tells you how to proceed: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” So, do not delay. Today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). If you wish to obey the gospel, contact the nearest church of Christ and we will be happy to assist you.