I have written several articles this year about seeking. The focus has primarily been on seeking the lost, seeking those who need Christ, seeking for opportunities to share Christ, and seeking for opportunities to evangelize or disciple. It strikes me that while seeking to be used of God as a witness and as a disciple-maker, we must not neglect something very important.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Now this verse is in the context of not worrying. Jesus is telling His disciples do not worry about your clothing, do not worry about your shelter, and do not worry about your life. Jesus points out the birds and the flowers. You can almost see them sitting on the hillside as Jesus is talking. He points to a nearby field full of lilies. He points to the sky with a few birds circling overhead hunting for a speck of grass or a tiny insect to feed upon.
As He points, He is telling them that God takes care of the birds. God clothes our earth with beautiful flowers. And He is wanting them to wrestle with why they worry about what they will eat or how they will clothe themselves. These are worthy questions. And after letting the sound of His voice and the sights around them sink in a bit, He says tells them not to seek after these things, but to seek Him first.
If we are to seek Christ before we seek food and seek clothes, how much more should we seek Christ before we seek other people to follow Him? Seeking Christ first should is not just a command to battle anxiety. Surely, seeking Christ first should be in front of everything. How can we ensure we are seeking Christ above all else?
- We will keep the greatest commandment – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37)
- We will keep our hearts free from idols – “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)
- We will follow in Jesus’ footsteps – “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,” (1 Pet. 2:21)
It becomes easier to seek Christ before all things when we remember what Paul wrote as the climax to the theological treatise of Romans 1-11. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36) What could we put before the One for whom all things come from, come through, and go to? Seek the One before you seek after those for whom you have been saved and sent.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
