Seek Ye First the Kingdom

Nothing of this Christian life is so beautiful as to seek the kingdom of God and then live in its discovery. The most transforming experience of my life was the forty days that I spent years ago in the book of Saint John seeking Christ alone and utterly welcoming Him as my Lord. As I read Saint John—slowly—on my knees, praying one simple prayer, “I want to know Him,” He revealed Himself. No, I cannot explain the how or the glory of it, but He became my Lord—not just my Savior—and I was transformed. This was over forty years ago and it is as real today as yesterday. You cannot know Him and still find worldly pleasures satisfying. He is the “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:46) that transforms the finder until they are thrilled to sell all and purchase that “pearl.” Set your heart on Him and His kingdom, and you will discover that He delights to reveal Himself.

There is something so intriguing about this discovery of the kingdom that I must tell you about it. It is an experience, but it is misleading to think of it as only an experience. Experiences have become a dime a dozen in our experience-oriented church world. They can be spiritually dangerous. But this experience I speak about is not esoteric or mind over matter or simply over-wrought emotions. Jesus Christ is life—overwhelming life—and transforming life. He touches and reaches inside the very soul and spirit of man to become closer than breath. No, it is not a roller coaster ride that drops you off after the thrill. It is not a high that must be manipulated with emotional jolts. You will not need some “impartation preacher” to slay you or induce his unholy laughter. It is a relationship that never quits growing and expanding unless you turn back to beggarly things.

The Son of God answered the multitude and said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20). This is a profoundly individual discovery. The church is the Body of Christ invisible but the witness of Christ revealed. Every saint of God is “added to the church daily” (Acts 2:47), but their relationship to Christ is individual.

The church would turn this world upside down (Acts 17:6) if each of us would seek the kingdom until Christ revealed Himself in us. Our Savior and Lord Himself promises, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). The prayer life of most professing Christians is all about themselves instead of all about Him. You are wasting your time in such selfish endeavors. The Son of God said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). He knows everything you have need of but cannot supply until you get lost in seeking Him alone.

Discovering this kingdom is a miracle. There is only one way into the kingdom of Christ and He alone can reveal it to you. There is no capacity in any man to search and find—it is surrender and He reveals. His Holy Spirit was sent back by the Father after Jesus ascended and gave that request to Him. He came for one single reason—that He might take all that the Son is and reveal that to us. There are many human formulas being promoted and selling books by the millions. They are nothing but a hindrance to the kingdom. As long as you think you have the formula or that you can make the discovery, you will flounder in your helplessness. It is your abandonment at His feet and before His infallible book that unlocks the secret. He awaits your self-forgetting surrender.

My simple suggestion is the Book of Saint John. Put on the shelf every self-help formula, make yourself an altar, and set yourself a daily schedule to read the Book of Saint John—on your knees if possible—slowly and prayerfully. Your attitude must be, “I want to know Jesus, I’m totally surrendering all of my life, plans future, desires—all of me—for all of Him.” Rest in the absolute certainty that He wants you to know Him and to be His, totally. Read each chapter carefully and repeatedly until you begin to see Him living in His revelation. He’s in His book and He will reveal Himself. Do not look for just feelings in your flesh but keep waiting for His deep revelation in your soul and spirit. Simply be His and give Him all of you. He wants to give you all of Himself. This alone is the kingdom.