SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The biblical Word of God says: “ seek first the kingdom of God, and its righteousness, and all other things [in accordance with God’s will] shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 5:14-15). “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

HOW GOD TAUGHT A PROSPECTIVE COUNSELOR TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD 

Dr. Cloud, now a born-again clinical psychologist, says he learned about the blessings of seeking first the kingdom of God, at a point in his life when he was a student desperately seeking for help. He shares what he learned in his book titled The Secret Things of God.

Henry said he was a sophomore in college, experiencing the pains of a broken relationship, a failed career dream and living with haunting depression every day. For some unexplainable reason, he said his attention was drawn to the Bible on his bookshelf, which he had not read since being in college. When he randomly opens it, he said his eye fell on a verse of scripture that seem to leap off the page:

But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness,

                                       and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33).

He read the next verse, and it said:

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,

                                    For tomorrow will worry about itself.

                                    Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34)

HOW HE IS AN EXAMPLE OF BEING BLESSED IN SEEKING THE KINGDOM FIRST

In Henry’s embracing the above scriptures, he said God helped him through his personal troubles and gave him guidance for his life.  Guided and aided by the Holy Spirit, he eventually achieved a doctorate degree in psychology, with training in theology as part of his program of study. He recognized that God blessed him personally, and equipped him professionally as a clinical psychologist to be able to help others with their problems.

People coming to Dr. Cloud allowed him opportunities to help them with their personal problems; and hopefully help them with their need to seek the kingdom of God; who can divinely counsel them (Proverbs 3:5-6), and meet all of their needs (Ephesians 3:20). ’The doctor said he learned to prayerfully use many principles of the Bible in helping people. He calls such principles “The Secret Things of God;” which are revealed to and used by people who seek first the kingdom of God. Below are a few of the other Bible principles of wisdom that he said he used effectively in helping people:

• He that harkens to counsel is wise (Proverbs 12:15).
• Whosoever keeps his mouth and tongue keeps his self from trouble (Psalms 21:27).
• The discretion of a man defers his anger (Proverbs 19:11).

IN SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD YOU LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF SEEKING EARTHLY THINGS FIRST.

Some counselors have been observed to knowingly or unwittingly disregard the Bible’s advice on seeking the Kingdom of God first They may limit their use of Bible  principles  to instructing people on primarily seeking temporal  things of this world.

The Bible tells us there even are some counselors who “distort the [Bible] truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). They appeal to people who have itchy ears for counselors to teach them what they want to hear, “ to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the [full] truth” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Such counseling may inspire you to achieve temporary and partial success with earthly things; but cause you to fail in acquiring eternal heavenly success with things of the Lord (Colossians 3:2).

The following are just a few examples of how some counselors may misuse scriptural  principles to motivate people to pursue earthly success; without advising them to seek first the kingdom of God: 

• The profit of the earth is for all (Ecclesiastes 5:9)—You have a right to the riches of the world.
• The hands of the diligent shall rule (Proverbs 12:24)—You can be at the head, if you work hard.
• As a man thinks so is he (Proverbs 23:7)—Positive thinking causes success.

But our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ asks those who have ears to hear his voice concerning seeking the kingdom of God first:  “What shall it profit a person to gain the whole world and to lose their soul” (John 10:27-28; Mark 8:36)?

SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST INVOLVES:

• Recognizing “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
• Acknowledging  “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
• Believing  “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in  Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
• Needing to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
• Being “conformed to the image of [God’] Son” (Romans 8:29).

The Bible says unless you seek first the kingdom of God by repenting of your sins and believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior you will perish (Luke 13:3). But our loving Savior and  Lord is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He urges his followers to pray for all people that they may come to follow him (1 Timothy 2:1-6). 

For everyone who seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the Lord has “the crown of righteous” which the righteous judge will award them on that day (2 Timothy 4:8).