Kingdom Living: Are We Seeking His Kingdom or Building Our Own?
Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:33; John 3:30; Matthew 7:21–23; Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)
A Question Every Christian Should Ask
As I continue studying what it means to live for the Kingdom of God, a question has been stirring in my heart.
Am I truly seeking God's Kingdom, or am I sometimes more concerned about building my own?
This is not a question I am asking to judge anyone else. It is a question I must first ask myself.
Jesus gave us a clear instruction in Matthew 6:33:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Notice those two important words: SEEK FIRST.
Jesus did not tell us to seek His Kingdom when we have time left over. He didn't tell us to seek His Kingdom only when we need something.
He told us to make His Kingdom our first priority.
But what does that really mean in our everyday lives?
Whose Kingdom Are We Building?
We live in a world that measures success by accomplishments, possessions, influence, recognition, and wealth.
Unfortunately, those same measurements can sometimes find their way into our Christian lives.
We can become so busy doing things for God that we neglect spending time with God.
We can become more interested in how many people notice our ministry than in whether our ministry is actually pleasing to Him.
We can even begin to measure our spiritual success by the number of people following us rather than by how faithfully we are following Jesus.
I believe this is a danger every believer should recognize.
And I certainly include myself.
He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease
One of the most important statements in Scripture was made by John the Baptist.
John 3:30 says:
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
Think about that for a moment.
John had been given an extraordinary ministry. People were coming to hear him preach, and many were being baptized.
Yet John understood that his ministry was never supposed to be about himself.
His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ.
And when Jesus appeared, John understood that the attention belonged to Him.
What a powerful example for those of us who desire to serve the Lord today!
The purpose of our ministry is not to make ourselves known. It is to make Jesus known.
The Difference Between Religious Activity and Kingdom Living
There is another passage of Scripture that deserves our attention.
In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Some will point to impressive religious works they performed in His name.
Yet Jesus will declare that He never knew them.
Those are sobering words.
They remind me that religious activity alone is not proof of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
We must not confuse being busy in ministry with abiding in Him.
Jesus said in John 15:5:
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
There is the foundation of Kingdom Living!
Before we can produce fruit that pleases God, we must remain connected to the One who gives us life.
Good works are not the price of salvation. They are the fruit of a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
Investing in What Will Last Forever
This brings me back to another teaching that has become especially meaningful to me: the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.
The faithful servants were entrusted with something belonging to their master.
They understood that what they had received was not theirs to waste.
They were stewards.
And so are we.
God has entrusted us with time, abilities, opportunities, resources, and relationships.
What are we doing with them?
Are we using them primarily to build comfortable lives and personal recognition?
Or are we investing them in things that have eternal value?
Sometimes Kingdom investments are not impressive in the eyes of the world.
They may involve encouraging someone who is discouraged, helping a family in need, visiting someone in prison, sharing the Gospel, or simply showing the love of Christ to someone who feels forgotten.
These things may never bring us recognition on earth.
But our Heavenly Father sees what is done in secret.
Finishing Well Begins With Kingdom Living Today
I have often written about my desire to finish well.
But the more I study Scripture, the more I understand that finishing well is not simply about reaching the end of my life.
It is about how I live each day between now and then.
Am I becoming more like Jesus?
Am I walking in obedience to His Word?
Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to correct my attitudes and motives?
Am I investing in His Kingdom rather than building my own?
These are questions worth asking ourselves regularly.
Because one day, every believer will stand before Christ to give an account of his or her service.
And the words I long to hear are found in Matthew 25:21:
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
Not "Well known."
Not "Well accomplished."
Not "Well admired."
But WELL DONE.
Today's Kingdom Living Reflection
Before we begin another day of activities, responsibilities, and plans, perhaps we should ask ourselves one simple question:
Lord, whose Kingdom am I building today — Yours or mine?
And then be willing to listen as the Holy Spirit examines our hearts.
Because Kingdom Living begins when we surrender the throne of our hearts to Jesus Christ.
It is not about becoming important.
It is about making Him preeminent in everything we do.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding me that everything I have and everything I am belongs to You.
Forgive me for the times I have become more concerned about my own plans, accomplishments, or recognition than about Your Kingdom.
Search my heart and reveal anything that is not pleasing to You.
Teach me to seek Your Kingdom first, to abide in Your Son, and to walk in obedience to Your Word.
May my words, actions, and opportunities bring glory to Jesus rather than to myself.
Help me invest the life You have entrusted to me in things that will last for eternity.
And when my earthly journey is finished, may I hear those precious words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
I'm Well Done — Preparing Our Hearts to Finish Well
ARE WE SEEKING HIS KINGDOM OR BUILDING OUR OWN?
ReplyDeleteJesus said to seek first the Kingdom of God. But sometimes we need to examine our hearts and ask ourselves whose kingdom we're actually building.
John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)
That's the heart of Kingdom Living!
My prayer is that each of us will remain faithful to Jesus and one day hear those precious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
#KingdomLiving #ImWellDone #SeekFirstTheKingdom #FinishWell #AbideInChrist