SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

WHAT DOES KINGDOM LIVING LOOK LIKE?

Following Jesus is not limited to attending church, reading the Bible, or praying at certain times. Our relationship with Christ should influence how we live. It affects our decisions, relationships, priorities, finances, work, words, attitudes, service, and the way we treat other people. Jesus taught: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...” - Matthew 6:33 (NKJV). Kingdom living begins when God's priorities become more important than simply pursuing our own. The question begins to change from “What do I want?” to “What honours God?” But before we can understand what Kingdom living looks like, we first need to understand: What is the Kingdom of God?

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

The Kingdom of God was at the centre of Jesus' teaching. When Jesus began His public ministry, He proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” - Mark 1:15 (NKJV). The Kingdom of God is not simply a physical location, a church building, or an earthly political kingdom. It is connected to God's rule and reign. To live for God's Kingdom means recognising God as King and bringing our lives under His authority.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:10 (NKJV). Notice how God's Kingdom and God's will are connected. Kingdom living asks for God's will to be done rather than simply asking God to approve everything we already want.

Jesus also explained that His Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. When speaking to Pilate, He said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” - John 18:36 (NKJV) God's Kingdom does not operate according to the world's pursuit of power, status, recognition, and control. Jesus demonstrated a Kingdom marked by truth, righteousness, love, obedience, humility, sacrifice, and service.

Jesus frequently used parables to explain the Kingdom:

• In Matthew 13:31–32 - He compared the Kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed - something that begins small but grows.

• In Matthew 13:33 - He compared it to leaven working through dough.

• In Matthew 13:44 - He described the Kingdom as treasure hidden in a field, showing its extraordinary value. These pictures teach us that God's Kingdom may not always look impressive according to the world's standards, but its value and influence are far greater than appearances suggest.

• Jesus also made it clear that entering God's Kingdom requires more than outward religion.

• In John 3:3 - He told Nicodemus that a person must be born again to see the Kingdom of God.

• This means Kingdom living cannot simply be copied as a lifestyle while leaving Jesus out of it. Kingdom living begins with belonging to the King.

PUT GOD FIRST

Seeking God's Kingdom first requires examining what occupies first place in our lives. It is possible to say that God is first while allowing our ambitions, money, success, relationships, possessions, comfort, or the approval of others to continually receive our greatest attention.

None of these things automatically have to be wrong. The question is whether they have taken a place that belongs to God. Kingdom living means continually bringing our priorities back under God's Word and Christ's lordship.

YOUR FAITH SHOULD AFFECT YOUR LIFE

James 1:22 warns against merely hearing God's Word without doing what it says. Biblical truth is intended to shape the way we live. If Scripture teaches forgiveness, Kingdom living chooses forgiveness. If Scripture teaches generosity, we learn to give. If Scripture teaches humility, we reject pride. If Scripture teaches truth, we value honesty. If Scripture teaches service, we look for opportunities to serve. And if Scripture teaches love, we learn to love even when doing so requires sacrifice. We do not obey God to earn salvation. Salvation is by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Rather, obedience should flow from belonging to Christ.

KINGDOM LIVING REQUIRES SURRENDER

Jesus taught His disciples about denying themselves and following Him. That means there will be moments when God's way conflicts with what feels easiest or most comfortable. You may need to forgive when you would rather remain angry, remain truthful when dishonesty would benefit you, serve when nobody notices, give when keeping everything would be easier, walk away from something that compromises your convictions, admit when you are wrong, or choose obedience when other people do not understand. Kingdom living is not always convenient. Following Jesus was never presented as merely adding Christianity around the edges of the life we already wanted. Christ calls us to follow Him.

BE SALT AND LIGHT

Jesus described His followers as the salt of the earth and the light of the world in Matthew 5:13–16. This means our everyday lives can point people towards God. How you treat people matters. How you conduct business matters. How you speak matters. How you respond when offended matters. How you treat people who cannot benefit you matters, and how you use what God has entrusted to you matters. Kingdom influence isn't limited to standing behind a microphone or having a public platform. You can represent Christ through ordinary faithfulness.

KINGDOM LIVING AND YOUR RESOURCES

Everything entrusted to us should be handled with wisdom. That includes our time, money, gifts, skills, opportunities, relationships, influence, and possessions. Biblical stewardship asks, “How can I faithfully use what God has entrusted to me?” Instead of seeing everything simply as something to consume for ourselves, Kingdom living considers how our resources can also serve, give, build, encourage, and bless others. What God places in our hands can become an opportunity to honour Him and serve people.

SERVE RATHER THAN SEEK STATUS

Jesus radically challenged the world's understanding of greatness. In Mark 10:43–45, He connected greatness with service. Kingdom living is therefore not primarily about gaining position, recognition, titles, or influence. It is about faithfulness. You don't need a platform to serve God. You can serve by encouraging someone, feeding someone, teaching, giving, praying, helping a family, using your skills, supporting ministry, being faithful in your work, caring for your household, showing hospitality, or sharing the Gospel. Sometimes the most significant Kingdom work happens where very few people see it.

RENEW YOUR MIND

Romans 12:2 teaches believers not to be conformed to the patterns of this world but to be transformed through the renewing of the mind. Kingdom living requires learning to think according to God's truth. The world may tell us to put ourselves first, while Jesus teaches sacrificial love and service. The world may encourage revenge, while Scripture teaches forgiveness and leaving vengeance with God. The world may tell us our worth comes from what we own or achieve, while Scripture directs our identity towards Christ. The world may tell us simply to follow whatever feels right, but Kingdom living asks: “What does God's Word say?”

KINGDOM LIVING STARTS IN ORDINARY LIFE

You don't have to wait for a large ministry opportunity to start living for God's Kingdom. Kingdom living can happen today - in your home, at work, in your business, at school, in your church, and in your neighbourhood. It can be seen in how you spend money, how you speak to someone, how you respond to conflict, how you treat your family, how you carry out your responsibilities, and what you choose to do when nobody is watching. Faithfulness in ordinary things matters.

KINGDOM CHECK

Kingdom living requires us to examine our everyday choices. Before making a decision, it can be helpful to ask: Is God first in this? Does this agree with Scripture? Does this honour Christ? Am I being a good steward? Am I acting from love or selfish ambition? Am I serving or only seeking to receive? Is there something God's Word requires me to change? These questions help bring our everyday decisions back under biblical priorities.

PRACTICAL KINGDOM LIVING

Kingdom living becomes practical when what we believe begins shaping what we do. This week, make intentional time for Scripture and prayer. Act upon something God's Word has already shown you. Look for someone you can serve without expecting anything in return, practise generosity, deal biblically with bitterness or unresolved offence, use your words to encourage rather than tear down, and steward your time, money, abilities, and responsibilities wisely. And when opportunities arise, share Christ. Be prepared to explain the hope you have in Jesus and allow the way you live to support the message you proclaim.

A REMINDER & ENCOURAGEMENT

If you are a believer, Kingdom living is not about becoming perfect enough to earn God's acceptance. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and your obedience should flow from your relationship with Him. When you fall short, return to God, repent, receive His correction, and continue allowing His Word and Spirit to transform the way you live.

And if you are an unbeliever, Kingdom living does not begin by simply trying to become a better person or adopting Christian values. Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Kingdom living therefore begins with Jesus Christ. Before we can truly live under the rule of the King, we need to be reconciled to Him.

REFLECT 📝

Take a moment and ask yourself:

• What currently receives most of my attention?

• Is there an area where my priorities need to change?

• What has God entrusted to me that I could use to serve others?

• Is there something Scripture has shown me that I have not yet acted upon?

• What would seeking God's Kingdom first look like practically this week?

• If you are a believer, ask yourself: Does the way I live reflect that Jesus Christ is truly Lord of my life?

• If you are an unbeliever, ask yourself: Do I truly know Jesus Christ, or am I only familiar with Christian teachings and values?

BEFORE YOU GO

To the believer, seeking God's Kingdom first is something we live out in everyday life. Continue bringing your priorities, relationships, work, finances, words, resources, plans, and decisions under the lordship of Jesus Christ. You will not do everything perfectly, but continue allowing God's Word to correct you, shape you, and teach you how to live as someone who belongs to His Kingdom.

And to the unbeliever, the Gospel comes before Kingdom living. Scripture teaches that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). He calls us to repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15), and Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that salvation is by God's grace through faith rather than something we earn through our own works.

If you do not yet know Jesus Christ, begin with Him. Turn from sin, place your faith in Jesus, and receive the forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life found in Him. Kingdom living is not simply about adding better habits to your life. It is about belonging to the King, living under His rule, and seeking His Kingdom first.

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A PRAYER FOR YOU 🕊️

Father, help me to seek Your Kingdom and righteousness first. Examine my priorities and show me anything that has taken a place that belongs to You. Renew my mind through Your Word and teach me to live in a way that honours Christ.

Help me steward faithfully what You have entrusted to me. Give me a humble heart that is willing to serve, generosity towards others, courage to obey Your Word, and wisdom in my everyday decisions. May my words, actions, relationships, work, resources, and choices reflect that I belong to You.

For the believer, continue transforming us so that our lives reflect Jesus Christ. Where we have become distracted or placed other things before You, bring us back into alignment with Your Word.

For the unbeliever reading this, reveal the truth of the Gospel and draw them towards repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Help them understand the forgiveness, reconciliation, salvation, and new life that are found in Him.

May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. May our lives be surrendered to Your rule, and may everything You have entrusted to us be used for Your glory and the advancement of Your Kingdom.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

BE ENCOURAGED.

ALL GLORY TO GOD MOST HIGH 🔥

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