40 Days of Seeking First the Kingdom of God
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Daily Insight:
Being in Christ while seeking the Kingdom of God transforms us and assures us of our heavenly destination. It's a journey of transformation that begins now and culminates in eternity with God.
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John 14:6–7 (CSB)
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
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Picture this: a seasoned businessman, always on the move, a master of schedules and itineraries. He's a frequent flyer, accustomed to airports' rhythms and aircraft's hum. One day, as usual, he boards a plane, settling into the familiar routine: stowing his carry-on, buckling his seatbelt, and preparing for takeoff. Everything feels right—the buzz of the cabin, the flight attendants moving down the aisle, the pilot's voice over the intercom. He has a ticket, a destination, and a plan.
But then, as the plane ascends, a casual conversation with the passenger next to him reveals a startling truth: he's on the wrong flight. Despite the familiar trappings—the ticket in his hand, the sound of the engines, the flight crew doing their routine checks—he's headed in the wrong direction. It dawned on him that even though everything seemed right, he was on a path to a destination he had never intended.
This businessman's experience is a poignant metaphor for our spiritual journeys. Many of us confidently move through life, holding onto beliefs or practices that feel comfortable and familiar. We have our tickets - our personal convictions or cultural norms—and we follow them, trusting that they will lead us to our desired destination. But what happens when we discover that our ticket is wrong? That, despite our best intentions, we're headed somewhere we never meant to be?
In life, as in travel, the right destination matters. It's not enough to be on a plane, to have a pilot, or to be surrounded by fellow passengers. The critical question is: are you headed where you need to go? Are you following the right path that leads to true fulfillment and eternal life?
1. Jesus: The Way
Acts 4:12 (CSB)
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved."
Like the businessman on the plane who suddenly realized he was off course, many of us may find ourselves in life situations that seem right but don't align with our ultimate goal. In the myriad of life's choices and paths, it's easy to confuse activity with purposeful living. Amidst this, the message of the Bible stands clear and profound: Jesus is not merely a route among many; He is the definitive pathway to God.
A). The Certainty of Christ's Claim
In an era where relative truths and personal beliefs abound, Jesus' assertion in John 14:6 emerges as a solid foundation. He didn't present Himself as one option among many; He offered Himself as the sole, unmistakable path to God. This is not about narrowing our spiritual options; it's about the trustworthiness and certainty of Jesus' promise. His declaration of being the way is an invitation to embrace a life that leads to authentic truth and everlasting life.
B). The Necessity of Intentional Alignment
Consider our businessman, mid-flight, realizing his mistake. He faces a crucial decision: continue on the wrong path or take action to correct his course upon landing. Similarly, recognizing Jesus as the way requires a conscious shift. It's not enough to merely acknowledge this truth; it necessitates a deliberate realignment of our life's direction with Christ's teachings, ensuring that our daily actions reflect His Kingdom of righteousness and grace.
C). The Destination and the Kingdom
The businessman's primary concern wasn't the amenities of his flight but where he was heading. Similarly, in seeking the Kingdom of God, our focus should be on our final destination. Believing in Jesus as the way is about more than just the experiences of faith we enjoy along the way. It's about experiencing Heaven not only then and there, but here and now. By seeking first the Kingdom of God in our lives here and now, we experience the expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven within us, assuring that we are aligned with the right destination. Pursuing God's Kingdom in the here and now is not just a future hope but a present reality, shaping our lives and filling our hearts with a foretaste of eternal joy.
2. Jesus: The Truth
Colossians 2:9 (CSB)
"For the entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ."
In the same way, the businessman on his wrong flight grappled with a sudden realization of his misstep, we too often face moments of reckoning in our search for spiritual truth. The world offers many views of Jesus - a wise teacher, a profound prophet, and a moral exemplar. However, when we grasp the profound reality of Colossians 2:9, our understanding of Jesus deepens. The fullness of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, dwells bodily in Christ. This isn't merely about admirable teachings; it's about the embodiment of God in the flesh.
A). The Fullness of God in Christ
The realization that Jesus is more than a moral guide, but the very essence of God in human form, is akin to our businessman suddenly understanding the gravity of being on the wrong flight. It's a moment of profound clarity that demands a reassessment of our perception of Jesus. If the entirety of God's nature resides in Him, then every word He spoke, every action He took, bears an incomparable weight of truth and authority.
B). Beyond a Moral Teacher
Many respect Jesus for His ethical teachings and His model of love and sacrifice. Yet, this is only scratching the surface of who He is. To see Jesus merely as a great teacher is like our businessman appreciating the comfort of his seat while oblivious to his erroneous path. Jesus' teachings are not just guidelines for living a moral life; they are revelations of the nature and attributes of God and His kingdom. They are signposts, leading us to the reality of God's presence and His work in and around us.
3. Jesus: The Life
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!"
A). A New Creation in Christ
Just as the right flight takes you to your desired destination, being in Christ leads us to a life transformed by His power and grace. Often, we think of Heaven as a distant, future state, but Jesus taught us to seek the Kingdom of God here and now. Being in Christ – on the right' flight' – means that we start experiencing aspects of heavenly life on earth. As the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out, our values, priorities, and actions begin to reflect the reality of God's Kingdom. We become agents of His love, grace, and truth in a world that desperately needs them. This is not a passive waiting for Heaven but an active participation in God's transformative work in our lives and in the world.
B). Assurance in Our Destination
Just as a passenger on the right plane has confidence in reaching their destination, being in Christ assures us of our eternal destiny. This assurance is not rooted in our abilities or righteousness but in the transformative power of Christ's life within us. As we live out the Kingdom of God daily, we find a growing confidence and peace in our ultimate destination with God. Our lives become a testament to the reality of His Kingdom, impacting those around us and reflecting the Gospel's transformative power.
In conclusion, being in Christ – on the right' flight' – is about much more than securing a heavenly destination. It's about experiencing the transformative power of the Kingdom of God here and now. This transformation changes us from the inside out, shaping our lives to reflect the values and priorities of God's Kingdom. As we live this out, we not only have the assurance of our final destination but also bring a taste of Heaven to the earth, impacting those around us with the life-changing power of the Gospel.