Seeking

By William Cunningham

Introduction

In Matthew chapter 6 we discussed the passage where Jesus aid to seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.  I believe that is the key to living a successful and prosperous Christian life.  We are being conformed to the image of Christ (See Romans 8:28).  This means that we should operate more and more as Jesus would.  Our lives should be a reflection of Christ more each day.  However, this is not necessarily true even among churchgoers.

The problem, I believe, is that of seeking.  Many people truly do not pursue God.  They do not seek first His Kingdom or His righteousness.  You will fid many people pursuing the tenants of their religion, social issues, personal advancement, occupational success, and more.  Because we do not pursue God, we do not experience all that God has for us and instead succumb to the schemes of the devil.

Hosea 4:6 (HCSB) — 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.

See also…

Matthew 13:22 (HCSB) — 22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Seeking God

  • Matthew 6:33 (HCSB) — 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
  • James 4:8 (HCSB) — 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!
  • Psalm 14:2 (HCSB) — 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God.
  • Psalm 27:8 (HCSB) — 8 My heart says this about You, “You are to seek My face.” Lord, I will seek Your face.
  • Amos 5:6 (HCSB) — 6 Seek Yahweh and live, or He will spread like fire throughout the house of Joseph; it will consume everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it.

How do you seek God?

Seeking God is rather easy.  Consider how you would seek anything else.  You would seek God in a similar fashion.  Below are some guidelines for seeking God.

  1. Read and know intimately the Word of God. The Word of God is the revelation of God to us.  Jesus said that we live by this word (Matthew 4:4)
  2. Practice, live, and do what you learn from the Word of God. The Word of God instructs us to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22).
  3. Spend time in fellowship with God. Spend time with God like you would spend time with anyone or anything else that you are pursuing.  Consider how a man would spend time with the woman he wants to have a relationship with.  Consider how a person spends time in the books and other resources in pursuit of a certification or degree.  We have to do the same thing with God.  Some suggestions for spending time with God are given below.
    1. Prayer
    2. Talking and listening
    3. Meditating on God’s word and speaking it out loud to Him
    4. Revealing to God what is on your heart—your most intimate “secrets.”
    5. Acknowledging God in all your ways (Proverbs 3:6
    6. Fellowship with other Christians.
  4. Actively listen to biblical teaching
  5. Read books on various biblical topics
  6. Do whatever you can to learn increasingly more about God’s Kingdom and righteousness, practice what you learn, and spend time with Him

The Potential Trap of Religion, Good Deeds, Life, “Church”

The word “church” in the heading refers to the religious organizations created by people, not the body of Christ, which is the true Church. 

We have to be careful with our church life and religious activities.  All religions, denominations, sects, etc. were made by humans.  Note that I do not consider Christianity a mere religion as just another item on the religious menu along with Catholicism, Buddhism, etc.

Being a part of a local church is a very good thing.  It provides the opportunity to fellowship with other Christians, and to combine resources to make a more effective impact on the community with ministry.  We can obtain encouragement, prayer, teaching, etc. at the local church.  That is indeed good.  However, there is a hidden danger.

If one is not careful, then one can find oneselfe pursuing the religion instead of God and His Kingdom.  We can get so wrapped up in being busy in the church and doing good things that we fail to nurture our own personal relationship with God.  We allow the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches (whatever those riches may be) to come in and choke the Word of God that we do receive and it becomes unfruitful in our lives.

Therefore, be diligent to pursue God as the number one priority even at the expense of saying no to good deeds.  Consider the following.

Matthew 7:21–23 (HCSB) — 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’

The bottom line here is to ensure that you are pursuing God.  Make that a priority in your life.