“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) This verse seems to sum up what the Christian life is all about. Seeking God is the purpose of our existence in life, and therefore, the purpose of being in a relationship with Christ.

        THE PURSUIT OF CHRIST – We are told to “seek” the kingdom of God. Christ is to be pursued, sought with all of one’s heart. “Seek and ye shall find” is the promise of Christ. The Psalmist wrote, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul longs after thee oh God. My soul thirsts for the living God.” When we get to the point that we seek Christ above all, then we are understanding what it means to put Christ at center.

       THE PRIORITY OF CHRIST – We are to seek the kingdom of Christ “first”. That is what Jesus was speaking of when he said that “all the law and prophets hang on” loving God “with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Jesus takes first place or no place. Do we know what Paul meant when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21)?

      THE PLAN OF CHRIST – Christ has one “plan of salvation”, and that involves making him the center of our lives. He is “Lord and Christ” as Peter said in the Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:36). As Lord and Christ, he is our ruler and our Savior.  the kingdom of Christ speaks of what the rule of Christ. As King, he rules. But a King must have a territory to rule; and the kingdom of Christ is the human heart. Christ rules in the kingdom of human hearts. That’s what it means to seek God’s kingdom, to seek his rule and regin in our hearts and lives.

      THE PROMISE OF CHRIST – “All these things shall be added unto you.” This is the promise that everything will work out for the good of those who seek God’s kingdom first. All things work together for good for those who love God and who are the called according to his purpose. Paul said, “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches…” (Phil. 4:19). That is the promise of God. Bryan Dunaway, Grace and Peace Ministries