Purpose: So if you could take one thing and say "this is what we are supposed to strive after more than any other", what would it be? What is our purpose?
What did Jesus say we are supposed to seek first? - Mt 6:33)
Soooo – if we are supposed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, how do you define “the kingdom of God?” Any good hermeneutical professor will tell you – let the Bible define the Bible. So where is the kingdom of God defined? - Rom 14:17.
Sooooo – if the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – and we are supposed to seek this first, my question is, are you seeking 1/3 of the equation more than the other, or are you seeking all three?
Personally, my experience has been that I put of utmost importance seeking to be righteous. Integrity, righteousness, good character, good works etc – are all things I’ve wanted to “do”. Honestly, in the past, I’ve seen joy and peace merely as emotions that are much less important than seeking after righteousness. It is easy to have the notion that to seek joy or peace or fulfillment is selfishness, or at best, an unnecessary distraction.
Seek means “to aim at or strive after”. Soooo... do we sometimes seek (aim at, strive after) only 1/3 of what God wants us to seek first? Do we occasionally believe the lie that it's selfish to seek joy and peace in the Holy Spirit? Seeking righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit has changed my life!
The thing is, Scripture also says, "you were created for good works" (Eph 2:10). So we go about thinking "I gotta seek first doing good works". But Jesus knew a secret. If we are REALLY filled with JOY - true joy and peace in the Holy Spirit... there is no way we are not going to do good works. It will happen! I love this!
I'm discovering that “good works” come out of a life filled with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit and it is so much more fun that trying to do “good works” or “do righteousness.” I believe it is way more effective too. Preaching the gospel will just happen. The "good news" will be effectively flowing out of my life if I am filled with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. CS Lewis said, “Duty is a crutch for love.” I will love better if I am not loving out of duty, but out of joy!
