THY KINGDOM COME
After a lengthy discussion about our concerns for the basic necessities of life, Jesus said:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
Jesus tells us here what our top priority in life should be. He is saying that the most important thing is the kingdom of God. Nothing, not even food or clothing, takes precedence over it.
God’s Kingdom
The first three petitions of the Lord’s Prayer give us insight into the nature of the kingdom of God:
9 … Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:9-10)
These words from our Lord show us that:
- God’s kingdom is where God’s name is hallowed and His will is done (His law is obeyed).
- We are to pray (and work for) a world that obeys God’s law (does His will).
Jesus after His resurrection gave us “The Great Commission:”
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt. 28:18-20)
Here we see God’s program for the building of His kingdom. God’s people are to teach the nations to obey His commandments (God’s law). How does a nation obey? A nation’s character is reflected in the nation’s general culture and its laws. It is these that Jesus tells us must be brought into conformity with God’s law. This is much more than a call for evangelism; Christians cannot leave the Great Commission to pastors and evangelists; they must actively work to further godliness in the culture wherever they are. This is how nations are taught to obey the Lord; it is every believer unashamedly defending and upholding God’s law in every situation, whether personal and local or political and national.
When Christians permit the laws they live under to deviate from God’s law, evangelism suffers and apostasy increases. America is now feeling the effects of the Christian abandonment of their God-given task to “teach the nations.” We have become an apostate nation. Every form of godlessness, including infanticide and sexual perversion, has been given legal status; all this while the Christian majority sat back, did nothing, and allowed unbelievers to guide the moral direction of the nation.
Obedience to Christ’s commission is not only work toward a far future Christian world; it is a matter of present survival. We neglect it to the detriment of our children and grandchildren. What kind of world will they inherit from us if we continue to ignore our Lord’s commands; and what excuse will we give when we see Him?