The Secret Of The Kingdom

By David Snyder

I don’t know how I could have missed it. I had studied and preached for over twenty years. I had digested hundreds of books and read through the Bible numerous times. Yet, somehow it never got through. I know if I had understood this “ancient secret” years ago I would have preached on one subject and one subject only.

It’s all encompassed in a few words spoken by our Lord 2000 years ago. The scripture is very familiar to most of us, yet it incases a subtle message that could change the face of modern Christianity if only it was the focus of all that was taught.

Allow me to explain. The crowds have gathered on a mountain side one day and Jesus is there teaching and speaks these life changing words: “So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?’ or “What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you have need of them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you as well.”

In the past I emphasized the “don’t worry” portion of this scripture. But there is much more to these profound words. If we miss the last part of these verses we will miss everything Jesus was attempting to teach. Jesus instructs us to “seek first his kingdom and His righteousness as our greatest priority. These are the only two things we need to do as Christians. In fact, if we check we will find that the “Kingdom” is all that Jesus really spoke about.

We forget that Jesus came to reestablish His kingdom here on earth. Of course the final phase of reestablishment will take place when He returns to do away with the sin problem. But, His kingdom is here now! If we are believers we are presently living in that kingdom. On one occasion Jesus told His disciples: “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven has been given to you…” Secrets? Yes! That is why Jesus said we must “seek” in order to understand.

What does it mean to seek? It means we must study the truths of the kingdom. We must study it with diligence. We must explore just what the kingdom is, how it operates and what is required of us to live as kingdom citizens. Because we live in a democracy here in America, we need to be enlightened that a kingdom system works very differently.

For instance think about this…
1. In a democracy the people vote into law what they think is best for society. This can change from generation to generation. Our culture operates on this principle of government.
2. In a kingdom the king determines the laws and regulations for the people. The people do not have a voice in determining what is right and wrong, etc.
3. Every government has a constitution. In God’s Kingdom He alone developed the constitution and the rules we must live by.
4. God’s constitution is the Bible. It is as unchangeable as God Himself. Mankind had no input into God’s constitution and cannot change it.
Because our society has so shaped our thinking we must renew our minds to think Kingdom thoughts. When Jesus instructed us to seek the Kingdom “first” He meant for this to be the highest priority. Everything we think, do or say should be focused on the Kingdom. We evaluate every decision as to how it will affect our Kingdom living.

Jesus also admonished us to seek “His righteousness.” We are to have a passion to know how the King would have us live. We are called to be in right alignment with the King and His constitution, the Bible. When we seek to know God’s constitution and to live by it…the blessings can flow into our lives!

We must always remember that we have no righteousness of our own. Jesus gave His life so He could declare us righteous. This was the legal act that only God could provide. But, we must never forget that we are called to live in alignment with the King’s laws. To willfully live outside the King’s constitution, the Bible, we commit treason to the government of heaven. This puts us outside the kingdom and kingdom blessings stop flowing.

To seek His righteousness is to know the laws of His government and to stay in alignment with them. It is to have a “right” relationship with God.
Jesus said as we seek “first” His kingdom and His righteousness everything we need will be added. What could be simpler?

Do you wish to study this subject further? Read through the New Testament and notice every time the word “kingdom” is mentioned. Start in Matthew and be amazed at all the references. Check out books at your local Christian bookstore on the topic of “kingdom.” Or you can contact the Christian Journal for ideas on materials that are helpful on this most important subject.

Dave Snyder writes from Milwaukie, Oregon.