How do your priorities line up? When reflecting upon your life, can you honestly say that you consistently put God’s will before your own? If we are honest, we would all probably admit that we fail in this area sometimes. This week, let us consider having our priorities properly aligned.
The kingdom of God should certainly have a high priority in our lives.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
What is the kingdom of God? First, it is not physical. Too many people believe that Jesus will come back, at the God-appointed time, and set up an earthly kingdom, but the scriptures do not teach this. The Greek word for kingdom means the rule and reign of God. To seek first the kingdom of God is to allow God to rule over our lives and reign in our hearts.
Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Does that sound like a physical kingdom to you? The kingdom is made up of those who allow God to be in control of their lives by living according to His will, and it is not something that citizens of the kingdom do by accident. True citizens of the kingdom of God seek His rule first in their lives because they know it is the best course to follow. They are committed to doing His will, even as Jesus, Himself, demonstrated to us when He was on earth.
John 4:34 (NKJV)
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
That should be our top priority as well.
The kingdom of God is more than just the rule and reign of God. Its most notable manifestation is as the church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The words church and kingdom are used interchangeably in the Bible (Matthew 16:18, 19). When Daniel referred to the kingdom that shall never be destroyed, He was referring to the church (Daniel 2:44). As citizens of the kingdom of God, we must make the church a high priority in our lives.
The aspect of the church that demands most of our commitment and attention is the local church. The will of God is for those who are added to the universal church by obeying the gospel (Acts 2:47), to find a local church to join (Acts 9:26-28). Nearly half of the epistles in the New Testament were written to local churches.
A local church is a group of Christians who agree to work together in a specific geographical location. Local churches are made up of elders (also called bishops or pastors), deacons, and saints). Once you find a local with which to work, it is your responsibility to do your part in helping it carry out the cause of Christ (Ephesians 4:16).
There is plenty of work to do in local churches. Are you an active member of the local church to which you belong? If not, do something about it. Rearrange your priorities if you must, but whatever it takes, start now seeking first the kingdom of God.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.