Do you seek the Kingdom of God FIRST or still FIRST today, as a believer or as a seeker? Or in both conditions?

[Lizbeth]

We are truly blessed John, and so are all other genuine believers, and words cannot even start to bring understanding to this grace we have been given, and yes in full measure, and only if we all realized it. We are truly complete in him, amen

Amen. That is part of the journey, realizing it. And some are further along on that journey than others for sure, and that encourages those of us who are coming up behind.

 

[Lizbeth]

"Thy kingdom come..." Where you were mentioning how we are made of the dust of the earth.....His kingdom comes to "earth" any time someone comes to faith in Christ and receives Him into their earthen vessel.

And Jesus said "if I by the finger of God cast out devils and heal the sick then the kingdom has come to you." All authority in heaven and earth was given to Him. So we are not waiting for a future 'millennial' kingdom to start but it is within us now.

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Hello, Apak, read your article here.

While, Paul wrote to Colossians, saying “For he
has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.” It seems that the Kingdom of God is something that is retained in the heart of a believer, with hope to be able to enter by merit of the Lord Jesus Christ and belief and faith on him and his work he done for Yahavah. It seems also here, Paul equated that God having rescued them from the kingdom of darkness (notice Paul doesn’t say “Kingdom of Satan.” Darkness starts to be burned out of a believer who comes to the Light, all while desiring to do dark things, one must reorient the selves in looking and abiding to the Lord Yeshua, whom is the one who works in us, even can be seen as a brother to all who choose to Gods will. God will continue to spiritually support those who seek him in faith, and he is a rewarder of those who seek him, and he calls to all people continually, inviting them to come and sit and rest and enjoy the company, in where the heart resides upon. The Father and the Son who we have fellowship indwell us by and through our heart (soul) mind/will/emotions. God is near, never far away. The renewing of the mind is something needed and the Bible is a way to do that when one does it by the spirit which Yahavah gives out to any and all who calls out to him in faith, no matter where they are. He burns the darkness out by and through the baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire which is brought forth from the Word of God. We also becomes heirs with Christ, and what Christ has we too have, and that is a Kingdom which God resides in the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Hello MatthewG, And how are you all? Has anyone read this? Seven Proofs God’s Kingdom Is Not Here Yet

Love, Walter

 

[WalterandDebbie]

When we are saved and being saved throughout this life for the next immortal next life, are we then in the Kingdom as a believer today, or only in some future time?

Or only a few are in the Kingdom today, those with the secret knowledge of living in some special unexplained, mysterious beyond walk in Christ in a glorified state?

Are we to continue to seek the Kingdom of God first, again and again, continually (again and again since conversion) as a believer since Christ's ascension, or are we in the Kingdom today and are still getting used to this Kingdom living as we mature and are ever-reminded we are already in the Kingdom, in the spirit of Christ given by God? All our real needs are currently being met!

Is the Kingdom sought for, found, binary or not? Sought and found, or sought and never really found by design until the next life? And we are to keep seeking it?

Has anyone answer(s) to this topic of discussion and debate and presented not in a mode of infighting with inpatient impulses ready to strike out at others without real just cause.

Ref: Matthew Chapter 6 for starters, the concern by Christ, by his words for his audiences to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God. Does he mean for only the seekers, his audience at that time, and/or for new believers of yesterday or today and tomorrow in some type of minimum, more carnal lower walk, or the already mature believer of the Kingdom, after the Day of Pentecost?

(Mat 6:7) And in praying do not use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

(Mat 6:8) Therefore, do not be like them! Even before you ask Him, your Father knows what things you need.

(Mat 6:9) In this manner you should pray: Our Father who is in heaven, let Your Name be glorified.

(Mat 6:10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

(Mat 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread.

(Mat 6:12) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

(Mat 6:13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

(Mat 6:14) For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

(Mat 6:15) But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


(Mat 6:30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today but tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not more surely care for you, O you of little faith!

(Mat 6:31) Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, How shall we be clothed?

(Mat 6:32) For the Gentiles clamour for all these things; even though your heavenly Father knows you have need of them all.

(Mat 6:33) So seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

(Mat 6:34) Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


Does this subject alter your view of salvation in a small or big way or not at all?

What say ye....?

Hello APAK, And how are you all? Love your thread Brother, thank you, but to the OP I would say both.

Love, Walter

 

[MatthewG]

Hello MatthewG, And how are you all? Has anyone read this? Seven Proofs God’s Kingdom Is Not Here Yet

Love, Walter

How are you? Good here mom is okay too,

 

[APAK]

Hello APAK, And how are you all? Love your thread Brother, thank you.

Love, Walter

Same to you as well Brother. We need to listen to the Spirit and go from there....it's so wonderful a gift we have, to possess.

 

[APAK]

"Thy kingdom come..." Where you were mentioning how we are made of the dust of the earth.....His kingdom comes to "earth" any time someone comes to faith in Christ and receives Him into their earthen vessel.

And Jesus said "if I by the finger of God cast out devils and heal the sick then the kingdom has come to you." All authority in heaven and earth was given to Him. So we are not waiting for a future 'millennial' kingdom to start but it is within us now.

Excellent example of working in the Kingdom, today.sister

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Hello APAK, And how are you all? Love your thread Brother, thank you.

Love, Walter

Both I would say

How are you? Good here mom is okay too,

Good to hear Brother, we are okay also.

Love, Walter And Debbie

 

[MatthewG]

"Thy kingdom come..." Where you were mentioning how we are made of the dust of the earth.....His kingdom comes to "earth" any time someone comes to faith in Christ and receives Him into their earthen vessel.

And Jesus said "if I by the finger of God cast out devils and heal the sick then the kingdom has come to you." All authority in heaven and earth was given to Him. So we are not waiting for a future 'millennial' kingdom to start but it is within us now.

 

[APAK]

What is “seek First His Kingdom, and His Righteousness” and “all these things will be added unto you?

Imo what is added in “His Righteousness” is: 2 Peter 1:3-7 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped (you speak of salivation or being spared)the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and these things will be added :Faith, Virtue, knowledge (of Christ which makes you neither unfruitful or barren), temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity will be added unto you.
He speaks of that you not be found naked (having your own righteousness) but that you be found clothed in Christ having the water He gives that when one drinks they never thirst again, and the food that one doesn’t go hungry. And clothes that don’t wax old as in take off the old and put on the New Man Christ.

You asked if “seek you First the Kingdom and His Righteous” and “all these things will be added unto you” is a one time deal or one time confessional thing and then that is all? Who do you know that immediately has all those things listed about added unto them? I’m having trouble finding any in this world that have those things added in “seek First the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you” …sure everyone says they seek Him first but actions say otherwise (Imo). so no (Imo) I don’t think it’s immediate you seek and you are clothed but a growing process of being clothed. Paul is an example I see always seeking to be clothed in Christ, not sitting back with his heels up but continuing on to be clothed daily and further in Faith, Virtue, knowledge (of Christ which makes you neither unfruitful or barren), temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity…
even encouraging “be increased in HIM!”

Actually I do agree in what you said. I just failed to distinguish clearly the FIRST, of seeking the Kingdom only, from the added part you emphasized here. I was emphasizing only the seeking the Kingdom FIRST part, and not the latter.

So, since the Kingdom has come to me as I already searched and fought it, I'm working within it today. And yes as you said, all these things are now being added in, OVER TIME in the Kingdom I'm in today. I do not have to keep going to seek the Kingdom and God's righteousness as I'm already in it and possess righteousness of knowing the truth.

Now Paul seeking to be clothed in Christ is another topic altogether and another separate discussion imo. Paul is speaking already as a citizen of the Kingdom he already found, as Jesus abruptly approached him one day...Paul never had to seek the Kingdom again and again...clothed in Christ as we are to do as well, is about walking in the Kingdom as Christlike, displaying his image into our lives as his own today...more and more. And having this same mind as Christ as Paul said. And this part of the holy journey is the last part of it and is not complete until after we pass over. And Paul knew this already...

Blessing to you VIJ

 

[APAK]

Those are fair questions. The Lord told us in scripture also! It's way back in Jerimiah 29

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.../KJV

This was just as true for us as it was for them.

Matthew 24
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.../KJV

So the Kingdom of God is not, "out there" but rather, "at hand". Yu must go internal to seek the Lord. I was talking on a christian forum once and I said that I was going to begin seeing the Lord in spirit...and another well intentioned but blind christian warned me that, That's a good way to get your self in trouble with a Demon because all that stuff is new age astral projection...!!

He couldn't be further from the truth.

Luke 11:10-12
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?.../KJV

So if you go seeking God in spirit, you are Not going to run into any demons I dunno, you might see one running away? Lol. I know 3 to 4 techniques for seeking the Lord.
In no particular order...

Prayer.
Praying.
Pray without Ceasing.
The word of God.

Seeing the Lord with yur whole heart means reaching out to Him and taking hold of Him (in spirit) and...not letting Him go! Invite Him every where with you. Talk to Him as you drive over. Invite Him in the store with you. Ask Him questions!

It doesnt matter of you only make small talk with Him. I have it on good authority that He likes that! Use your heart to go before Him and walk with faith and trust in Him. Do not let Hi go! Don't walk away from Him! Dont leave him in the car! Reach out in faith to your Lord and believe it, He IS there.

In the NT a lady snuck up on Jesus and touched the hem of His robe. She believed that she would be healed. Except Jesus hadnt died yet and paid the price! So this all happened under old covenant. But Jesus said thy faith has made thee whole. That lady reachedout through time to take hold of the promise that was coming with Jesus's resurrection. By faith she did this, so the Lord honored it and healed her.

In the OT, Abraham, through faith received the promise also. His faith was reckoned as righteousness for what He did in faith. So you have to have faith and trust in the Lord.

If you start pursuing the Lord like this...I advise you to expect things to happen. Be watchful for them and believe.
You wont find Him at first. But when He decides that you have sought Him enough to show you are serious...then He will make Himself known to you. You can find Him!

I see miracles in my life, more and more these days MA. Thank you for your valuable input.

 

[APAK]

Amen. That is part of the journey, realizing it. And some are further along on that journey than others for sure, and that encourages those of us who are coming up behind.

It surely is an encouragement sister to the rest of our family.

 

[amadeus]

What is “seek First His Kingdom, and His Righteousness” and “all these things will be added unto you?

Imo what is added in “His Righteousness” is: 2 Peter 1:3-7 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped (you speak of salivation or being spared)the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and these things will be added :Faith, Virtue, knowledge (of Christ which makes you neither unfruitful or barren), temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity will be added unto you.
He speaks of that you not be found naked (having your own righteousness) but that you be found clothed in Christ having the water He gives that when one drinks they never thirst again, and the food that one doesn’t go hungry. And clothes that don’t wax old as in take off the old and put on the New Man Christ.

You asked if “seek you First the Kingdom and His Righteous” and “all these things will be added unto you” is a one time deal or one time confessional thing and then that is all? Who do you know that immediately has all those things listed about added unto them? I’m having trouble finding any in this world that have those things added in “seek First the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you” …sure everyone says they seek Him first but actions say otherwise (Imo). so no (Imo) I don’t think it’s immediate you seek and you are clothed but a growing process of being clothed. Paul is an example I see always seeking to be clothed in Christ, not sitting back with his heels up but continuing on to be clothed daily and further in Faith, Virtue, knowledge (of Christ which makes you neither unfruitful or barren), temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity…
even encouraging “be increased in HIM!”

It is indeed a "growing" thing, at least it is for me. Keep on seeking those things as Jesus said, His Kingdom and His righteousness... and keep on asking and receiving. But... have a care about asking amiss. Our flesh is also hungry and I speak not only of the stomach.

Lu 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 

[Lizbeth]

I dont' know if I'm understanding you properly....sometimes have trouble with reading comprehension these days....but I believe the seeking FIRST His kingdom has to do with seeking it first rather than seeking the things we need first. If we put His kingdom first, He will provide what we need, clothes to wear, food to eat etc, and we wont' have to worry about running after all those things as the pagans do. To me, it's another way of showing how we are to live for His kingdom, not for life in this world. Hope that addresses what you were speaking of.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

It is indeed a "growing" thing, at least it is for me. Keep on seeking those things as Jesus said, His Kingdom and His righteousness... and keep on asking and receiving. But... have a care about asking amiss. Our flesh is also hungry and I speak not only of the stomach.

Lu 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Knowing both how to be abased and how to abound …I probably ask amiss more often than not. That is the truth. My husband says I hate and fear being uncomfortable. I do. I don’t like being uncomfortable at all! As you say often God help us!

Proverbs 30:8-9 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: [9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

[amadeus]

Knowing both how to be abased and how to abound …I probably ask amiss more often than not. That is the truth. My husband says I hate and fear being uncomfortable. I do. I don’t like being uncomfortable at all! As you say often God help us!

You sure nailed that one. I like having my own little study with the very comfortable chair I am sitting in now before my computer. The one other chair is a recliner which is also mostly for me when I am reading my Bible and other books. Personal physical comfort is one of those nice things, one of the blessings of God.

When I stand or walk for more than a couple of minutes at the time the pain in my back left hip quickly becomes excruciating. Simply sitting down soon alleviates the pain as nothing else does. For my long walk to the kitchen chairs are positioned to allow me to sit as I need to... Oh, what a mighty God we serve.

Proverbs 30:8-9 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: [9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I am not wealthy as most Americans would count wealth, but compared to most people in countries like Haiti or Viet Nam I am rich indeed. I always have food on the table, comfortable clothes to wear and a good roof over my head.

I used to dream of being a multimillionaire as if that would somehow be nice so that I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. It took years of serving God to fully realize how foolish was such a dream.

 

[Lizbeth]

Hello MatthewG, And how are you all? Has anyone read this? Seven Proofs God’s Kingdom Is Not Here Yet

Love, Walter

Don't want this to turn into a protracted debate because I think it will take us off the topic of the OP but just to mention the following for consideration:

His kingdom comes not with our careful observation......clinches for me that we are not looking for an outward physical kingdom, like the unbelieving Jews do in their error and unbelief....as they also were at the time of Jesus walking the earth, which caused them to miss Him.

Our mother is the Jerusalem that is above, and here we have no continuing city.

His kingdom is not of this world.

Because it is at His coming that the following things happen.....this world is burned up (2Peter 3) and also it is then that Jesus hands the kingdom back over to His father (1 Cor 15)......so I do not see a future millennial kingdom on this earth any more like I used to, as I know it is commonly taught. I'm convinced that we are looking for a new heavens and new earth....ie, an heavenly kingdom...and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Which is why all our hopes and affections are to be ABOVE as well. (We have not been understanding Revelation properly...and not that I blame myself or anyone, since it is highly allegorical and cryptic...hard to understand.)

1Co 15:23-26

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (ie He is reigning now)
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (at His coming when death and hell itself gets thrown into the lake of fire)

(A dispensational view of a future millennial earthly kingdom contradicts those scriptures in 1 Cor 15 and 2 Peter 3.)

 

[Lizbeth]

It is indeed a "growing" thing, at least it is for me. Keep on seeking those things as Jesus said, His Kingdom and His righteousness... and keep on asking and receiving. But... have a care about asking amiss. Our flesh is also hungry and I speak not only of the stomach.

Lu 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Amen. I think of the prodigal son and how he asked for his inheritance beforetime....when he was evidently not yet ready for it. We can run ahead of the Lord at times.

 

[Lizbeth]

You sure nailed that one. I like having my own little study with the very comfortable chair I am sitting in now before my computer. The one other chair is a recliner which is also mostly for me when I am reading my Bible and other books. Personal physical comfort is one of those nice things, one of the blessings of God.

When I stand or walk for more than a couple of minutes at the time the pain in my back left hip quickly becomes excruciating. Simply sitting down soon alleviates the pain as nothing else does. For my long walk to the kitchen chairs are positioned to allow me to sit as I need to... Oh, what a mighty God we serve.

I am not wealthy as most Americans would count wealth, but compared to most people in countries like Haiti or Viet Nam I am rich indeed. I always have food on the table, comfortable clothes to wear and a good roof over my head.

I used to dream of being a multimillionaire as if that would somehow be nice so that I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. It took years of serving God to fully realize how foolish was such a dream.

Lord bless you brother. It's no fun getting old that's for sure. It's all helping to prepare us for what lies ahead though, I believe. When we are weary of this life we will not be too upset to leave it when our time comes.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

You sure nailed that one. I like having my own little study with the very comfortable chair I am sitting in now before my computer. The one other chair is a recliner which is also mostly for me when I am reading my Bible and other books. Personal physical comfort is one of those nice things, one of the blessings of God.

When I stand or walk for more than a couple of minutes at the time the pain in my back left hip quickly becomes excruciating. Simply sitting down soon alleviates the pain as nothing else does. For my long walk to the kitchen chairs are positioned to allow me to sit as I need to... Oh, what a mighty God we serve.

I am not wealthy as most Americans would count wealth, but compared to most people in countries like Haiti or Viet Nam I am rich indeed. I always have food on the table, comfortable clothes to wear and a good roof over my head.

I used to dream of being a multimillionaire as if that would somehow be nice so that I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. It took years of serving God to fully realize how foolish was such a dream.

Heart not that you have pain but that you are content.