The phrase “Seek first the Kingdom of God” actually means “Strive to become a member of the Kingdom of God.” To be a member of God’s Kingdom, our hearts must be circumcised so we carry the character of that kingdom. Therefore, we must internalize that we are not wanderers; we have a status. The question is, do we fulfill the status of being children of God? The church must keep working, campaigning, and encouraging the congregation to become citizens of the Kingdom of God. The Word preached must continually circumcise the inner self and the heart. For that reason, the speaker must have first experienced circumcision of the heart. Our repentance is not a one-time event; repentance is an ongoing process.
Suppose we do not realize that we are members of the family of God’s Kingdom and are unwilling to assume that status through circumcision of the heart, we certainly will not undergo the process of change. When we die, the Lord could say, “I never knew you. You did not do the will of the Father and did not experience inner circumcision.” Don’t be busy only being a pastor or serving in church activities without asking whether our lives please God. We face many problems and often get swept away by them. Yet we will never be truly free from problems; there will always be problems. Don’t deify those problems.
Whatever happens, let it happen. What matters is how our inner circumcision takes place, how we are continually renewed to have the character of members of God’s Kingdom. If we focus only on problems, we will not grow. The problems we face should actually trigger spiritual growth, because God uses every event in our lives to perfect us. The question is: how can someone be in the Kingdom of Heaven if they do not meet the characteristics and qualifications of God’s Kingdom? Therefore, we must live in God’s presence and live in holiness. Likewise, parents must be instruments in God’s hands to bless their families and serve as role models and figures to emulate. The church must have such individuals. So, we must earnestly embody God’s attributes so we are worthy to be called children of God because we share His morality and holiness.
In Philippians 3:6–9, Paul says he let go of all his pride and considered it rubbish so that he might gain Christ. There is a kind of spiritual exchange or transaction. If someone is still tied to worldly pride and love of the world, they will not have Christ. Paul’s life becomes the life standard for believers—the standard for citizens of God’s Kingdom or members of God’s family. He said, “…follow my example and observe those who live as we do, who are your models.” Here, Paul opens the space to say not only that he is an example, but that others live like him and can be examples—including us.
Each of us must be freed from worldly thinking. Be grateful if we still have the opportunity to hear this Word and can still be pulled out of worldly ways of thinking. But do not fail to respond to this Word. Think about eternity. Do not be proud, because if we do not make God the Lord of our lives, then we ourselves become the Lord. Conversely, if we are members of God’s family, we must submit to God. Every nation or kingdom has laws and regulations. Likewise, our country has laws.
If we are members of the Kingdom of Heaven, then our law is God Himself, who places the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Holy Spirit will reveal what is pleasing to God and what is not. But if we don’t engage with the Holy Spirit—never pray, never ask whether what we do is pleasing to God—then we are not truly seeking the Kingdom of God. Those who truly seek the Kingdom of God will be diligent in discerning whether their thoughts, reflections, words, and actions align with God’s will.