A Daily Devotional

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Seek Ye First

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Our text for today has become a favorite memory verse for millions and has even been set to music by a number of artists. Indeed, its truth is of foundational importance. Let us look with care at what it says.

First, notice that the tense of the verb "seek" in Greek implies a command to establish an ongoing habit or life-style of "seeking" the things of the kingdom. We are commanded to put first things first on a continual basis and watch Him take care of the items of secondary interest.

We should strive to make His priorities our priorities -- to so mold our thinking by the Word of God that we think as He does on every issue. Our lives should exhibit the purity and righteousness that He exhibited when on earth. While it is true that we will never fully achieve such perfection this side of heaven, we should be striving, i.e., "seeking" to do so, by the power of His Spirit living in us.

The chapter surrounding our text is permeated by the concept of proper priorities in relation to pride (vv.5-8, 16-18), treasures on earth (vv.19-21), singleness of purpose (vv.22-23), serving two masters (v.24), or anxious thoughts about the future (vv.25-32,34). Remember, "your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things" (v.32).

If we reverse the proper order, not only will we not attain kingdom priorities and His righteousness, but we will probably miss the secondary "things" as well. The word "added," a mathematical word, implies the prior existence of something to which other things can be added.

Surely in our "seeking" we should also adopt the prayer Jesus taught His disciples: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (v.10).

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What Paul Knew

"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (I Corinthians 8:2).

There are many things which none of us can know -- not even the apostle Paul. Yet even with his realistic modesty, there are certain key truths which Paul could affirm with certainty, and so can we on the same grounds as he.

One essential thing each of us should know first of all is this: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18). A person needs to know that he is a lost and hopeless sinner before he will ever really come to Christ for salvation.

Once a lost sinner does receive Christ as Savior, however, he then should be able to declare with Paul the certainty of his own salvation. "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (II Timothy 1:12).

The Christian life, once begun, is not necessarily easy. With Paul, in fact, it involved "labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, . . . In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (II Corinthians 11:23,27). Yet he could say with confidence: "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Because of such an assurance, he could also say: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound" (Philippians 4:11-12). Whatever life might bring, it could never shake his certainty of the life to come. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (II Corinthians 5:1).

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Old Testament Prophecy

"Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you" (I Peter 1:10).

Our text and the verses which follow tell us a good deal about Old Testament prophecy and, rightly understood, answer many of the questions raised by modern "scholars" who scoff at the divine authorship of Scripture.

First, we can see that much prophecy was devoted to the theme of "the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (v.11), long before the events took (or will take) place. That these prophecies were not mere human contrivances is seen in the claim that they were due to "the Spirit of Christ which was in them."

Furthermore, the prophets themselves didn't fully understand what they were writing. For instance, Isaiah wrote both of the glory of the coming Messiah (chapter 11) and His sufferings and death (chapter 53) with no indication that he knew how to put the two together. Peter claims the prophets "inquired and searched diligently" (I Peter 1:10), "what, or what manner of time" (v.11) these things would come to pass. Indeed, even "the angels desire to look into" (v.12) these mysterious passages and doctrines.

Finally, the prophets evidently knew that the mysterious prophecies were not for them to understand, but for us to understand (v.12). Much of what so puzzled them has been revealed to us "by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven" (v.12).

Because of the ultimate authorship by the Holy Spirit, and the eventual explanation by the same Spirit, these prophecies have never failed. They provide irrefutable evidence for the inspiration of Scripture, clear reasons to trust in the message of Scripture, and a grounded faith in the consummation of God's plan for the ages.

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God Is Faithful

"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Corinthians 1:9).

When we place our trust in Jesus Christ as omnipotent Creator and gracious Redeemer, He then faithfully undertakes to provide everything we need to live an effective fruitful, victorious Christian life.

For example, when we are tempted to sin or are tested in any other way, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13). In this connection, He undertakes to ground us firmly in His truth and to keep us from moral and spiritual harm. "The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil" (II Thessalonians 3:3).

When we do sin, however, He assures us that, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). With all our failings, He has undertaken to eventually perfect us in Christ, and He faithfully will continue this until it is done. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; . . . Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).

All that He has promised, He will do. Even when we are unfaithful to Him, He remains faithful to us. "If we believe not |that is, `are unfaithful'|, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself" (II Timothy 2:13).

Our text above, assuring us of God's faithfulness, follows the promise that He will "confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 1:. Therefore, we seek also to be faithful. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10:23).

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Our Inheritance

"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:4).

Our heavenly inheritance, among other things, is an "eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15), held jointly with Christ (Romans 8:17) and "all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). We who are born again "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" and "kept by the power of God" (I Peter 1:3,5) find such an inheritance described in our text.

First, we notice that our inheritance is incorruptible, or undecaying, immortal. Note how the same word is used in verse 23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God." Therefore "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt" (Matthew 6:20).

Second, it is undefiled, pure, uncontaminated by sin. Remember, Christ is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26) and so, evidently, is our inheritance.

Third, it fadeth not away. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (I Peter 5:4).

Lastly, our inheritance is reserved in heaven for us. Christ prayed, "Holy Father, keep |same word| through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are" (John 17:11). Surely our inheritance is as secure as we are, guarded by none other than the all-powerful guard.

So we see that our inheritance cannot die, cannot be tainted by sin, will never fade, and cannot be lost. "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (II Timothy 1:12).

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An Answer in Suffering

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (I Peter 3:15).

The words of this text have much to say concerning a ministry such as ICR's and have been oft-discussed in these pages. In short, they consist of a mandate to be always prepared to give a systematic, logical (scientific, if necessary) defense of one's faith, with the proper motives and attitudes, of course. Let us today place the verse in its immediate context, verses 13 through 17.

Normally one would not expect opposition for doing good, but such a situation must be expected, particularly if a person is a zealous follower of good (a better translation in v.13). Such a person is enthusiastic about his cause, not in an irrational way, but a wholehearted way. This intimidates and infuriates those who "loved darkness . . . because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye" (I Peter 3:14). Our natural response of fear need not overtake us, for Peter warns us to be prepared, and he gives several commands. First, "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (v.15), He must occupy the supreme position in our hearts. Next, we must "be ready always" with our defense. This implies forethought, study, and preparation. Lastly, he insists we must maintain "a good conscience" (v.16), a lifestyle so pure and blameless that any accusations will be to the shame of the accusers.

It may be, however, that in spite of our walk with the Lord, our preparation and lifestyle, unjust persecution may come. It may be in "the will of God" (v.17) for us. If so, so be it, "For it is better . . . that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

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The Divine/Human Word

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The title of the Word of God is given both to Jesus Christ as the Living Word (John 1:1-3; Revelation 19:13), and to the Holy Scriptures as the written Word (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; etc.). They are so perfectly synchronous that what is said of one can usually be applied also to the other.

Both are human, yet without error; both are divine, yet can be comprehended by man. "God was manifest in the flesh" (I Timothy 3:16). "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21). "In Him is no sin" (I John 3:5), "The Scripture cannot be broken," and "All Scripture . . . is profitable" (John 10:35; II Timothy 3:16).

Furthermore, each is eternal: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:. "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).

Each brings regeneration and everlasting life to all those who believe. "He saved us, by the washing of regeneration . . . through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:5-6). "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (I John 5:11). "Being born again . . . by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (I Peter 1:23). "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).

Finally, judgment comes by both Christ and the Scriptures. "The Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22). "The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books" (Revelation 20:12). Both Christ and the Bible are vitally important to each Christian and must be studied, understood, known, loved, trusted, and relied upon in every human endeavor.

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Paradoxes of Scripture

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty" (Proverbs 11:24).

"To get, we must give." This is not the world's method for attaining prosperity, but it is the paradoxical message of our text, as well as that of Christianity in general.

Note some of the many other paradoxes in the Bible related to this basic truth.

   1.
      To really live, we must die. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20).

   2.
      To save one's life, he or she must lose it. "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it" (Luke 17:33).

   3.
      To be wise, we must become fools. "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (I Corinthians 3:18).

   4.
      To reign, we must serve. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things" (Matthew 25:21).

   5.
      To be exalted, we must become humble. "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). To be first, we must be last. "So the last shall be first, and the first last" (Matthew 20:16).

Finally, note the nine-fold paradox of a truly Christian ministry: ". . . in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God. . . . By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (II Corinthians 6:4,8-10).

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Christian Endurance

"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (I Corinthians 13:7).

The wonderful definition of Christian sacrificial love (the original intent of the word "charity") in I Corinthians 13, climaxes with the affirmation that such love endures all things. For example, Paul commands each of us to "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Timothy 2:3). In the same context, looking especially to the last days, he says: "Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist" (II Timothy 4:5).

Similarly, the apostle James promises: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him" (James 1:12). This speaks not merely of moral temptation, but of any testing in the Christian life. Later, James says, "Behold, we count them happy which endure" (James 5:11). Note also Peter's testimony: "This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully" (I Peter 2:19). We must also be willing to receive God's chastening. "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. . . . If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons" (Hebrews 12:6-7).

In all this, Jesus Christ is our example and encouragement. "For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:3).

No matter what God allows to come our way, He gives us strength to endure "all things." Paul is our example, as well as Christ. "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes" (II Timothy 2:10). It was for our sake that they were willing to endure hardness, and griefs, and all things. The Lord Jesus, "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2), and so can we.

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Death before Sin?

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Corinthians 15:21-22).

Modern evangelicals have found it fashionable to accommodate Scripture to the concept of a very old earth. These views all do serious harm to Scripture, including the current compromise of choice, the "framework hypothesis," which holds that the passages which seem to deal with science and early history contain only "spiritual" truth, but not factual content. Each such attempt to accept vast ages before the appearance of man has many flaws, but perhaps the most damaging to the Christian faith is the problem of death before sin.

The Bible plainly teaches that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Before Adam and Eve rebelled, animals ate only plants (Genesis 1:30). Death came as a result of sin and the curse: "For in the day that thou eatest thereof |the forbidden tree| thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17). The first death in all of creation occurred when God provided Adam and Eve animal skins for clothing. Sin always brings death. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). Indeed "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). That this is not referring to spiritual death only is clear from our text, which deals with physical resurrection from the dead. Just as Adam's sin brought death on all creation, so Christ's resurrection brings victory over death.

But here is the problem. If death existed before Adam, then death is not the penalty for sin. How, then, did Christ's death pay the penalty for our sin? If death is not tied to Adam's sin, then life is not tied to Christ's death and resurrection, and the Christian faith is all in vain.

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The Presence of the Lord

"Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place" (I Chronicles 16:27).

It is the great privilege of each Christian believer to be perpetually in the presence of the Lord. Since our bodies became temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19) when we received Christ as Savior, we can go nowhere without Him. This is why -- even when our prayers are uttered silently -- He hears us. No matter where we may be or what situation we confront, His presence is with us, and we can speak to Him about it immediately, whether in praise or in petition.

And because we are in His presence, we must also be -- as our text assures us -- continually in the presence of glory and honor, strength and gladness. "In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11). We need not be overly concerned about what people say or do to us, if He is with us. "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues" (Psalm 31:20).

Now, of course, although God's Holy Spirit is always with us, we do not yet see Him face to face. But that day is coming too! He "is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). There will be exceeding joy -- indeed, fullness of joy -- at His right hand, in His presence!

The end is different for those who reject Him. They know neither His presence now, nor His presence in glory. In fact, the essence of hell consists of eternal banishment from His presence. All those who "know not God, and that obey not the gospel . . . shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (II Thessalonians 1:8-9).

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A Spring of Water

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13-14).

Water is necessary for life, and no one can live for long without it. Jesus, when talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, used this simple and well-known fact to teach timeless truth, both to her and to us.

The two occurrences of the word "drinketh" in our text are actually in two different forms. The construction used in Greek implies a continual, habitual drinking in the first case, but a one-time action in the second.

Likewise, while the woman referred to a "well" (v.12) (literally "a hole in the ground"), Christ referred to a "flowing well," or "spring," using a different word.

Furthermore, when He said one who drinks from His spring shall "never thirst," He said so in a very emphatic way. Not only is "thirst" emphasized by the sentence structure, but it is compiled of two negatives preceding the verb "thirst," which is further strengthened by the word "forever," i.e., "shall not, shall not thirst, forever."

One who drinks from the wells of the world will thirst again, for sinful pleasures never satisfy. But just a single drink from the springs of "living water" (4:10; 7:38) of which Christ spoke eliminates spiritual thirst forever.

That one drink is a drink of eternal life, and it becomes in the believer a veritable spring, inexhaustible in its quantity and unsurpassed in its quality. The water is, of course, a reference to the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to minister to His followers in His absence. One day we'll be with Him, and then, as well as now, He completely satisfies.

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Never Ashamed

"For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 10:11).

Just where does the Scripture say this? Paul is apparently quoting here from (Isaiah 28:16) which is the following: "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

The question is: Why did Paul change the Hebrew word for "make haste" to the Greek word for "be ashamed"? He did the same thing in (Romans 9:33). "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." This verse makes the question even more involved, because here Paul combines the quote with (Isaiah 8:14): "And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense. . . ." Note also (I Peter 2:6-8), which combines both verses with (Psalm 118:22) "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."

The Greek Septuagint translation apparently rendered "make haste" (which is the correct meaning of the Hebrew word, as confirmed by all its other uses in the Old Testament) by a Greek word meaning something like "put to shame." More importantly, however, these passages illustrate the truth that the Holy Spirit (the real Author of the Bible) has a perfect right to interpret His writing however He will. And He interpreted "make haste" to mean "be ashamed."

That is, when we believe on Christ, we never need to flee in haste from His enemies, for we can never be put to shame when anchored on this sure foundation. As the Lord said in another passage: ". . . they shall not be ashamed that wait for me" (Isaiah 49:23).

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Thanks for the Greatest Gift

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (II Corinthians 9:15).

We who have known and sought to follow the Lord for many years have received many, many blessings for which to thank Him. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits" (Psalm 68:19), we can pray again and again.

But there is one blessing which is so great that it cannot even be put into words -- it is unspeakable! That gift is so great that when we try to comprehend it, the sense of awe and gratitude becomes so overwhelming (or at least should become so overwhelming) that our joy is also unspeakable -- indescribable! That gift, of course, is the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Savior, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, . . . ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Peter 1:.

It is significant that the Greek word translated "unspeakable" occurs only these two times in the entire New Testament. God's unspeakable gift to us produces unspeakable joy in us. We who deserve nothing but eternal separation from God in hell, instead will enjoy eternal life with God in heaven, and all because of that amazing and truly inexpressible gift!

To think that the mighty Creator, God the Son, would not only humble Himself to become His own creature, man, but then also suffer the unimaginable agony of the cross and separation from God the Father in order to deliver us from the just penalty of sin! This act speaks of such love and grace that all we can do is whisper softly, "Thank you, Lord, for this unspeakable gift," and then shout it over and over again in our hearts wherever we go, and share its unspeakable joy and blessing with whomever will listen to its message. "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad" (Psalm 126:3). Thank you, Lord!

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Jesus Christ: Creator

"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16).

The Old Testament uses several names for the One who created. For example: "For thus saith the Lord |i.e., Jehovah| that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it" (Isaiah 45:18). But the New Testament leaves no doubt as to who the Creator is.

Our text states it clearly. The "Him" in context is the Father's "dear Son" (v.13) who shed "His blood" (v.14). Similarly, the favorite passage in John 1 identifies Christ as the Creator: "All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (v.3). "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him" (v.10). "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (v.14). No member of the human race nor member of the Trinity fits this description except Jesus Christ. "God . . . Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Jesus Christ is the Creator, and once He put on human form, His creative abilities continued to find application. Several of His miracles involved creation out of nothing. Note the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:10-11), the transformation of water into wine (John 2:9-11), and bringing life from non-life -- the raising of Lazarus (John 11:43-44), just to name a few.

Perhaps the most important creative act of Christ is one He performs on repentant sinners every day. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17).