WHAT DO YOU SEEK AFTER
By W. G. Guy
Generally we seek after those things that we desire or lust after. This reveals where our interests are; or another way to put it, where your heart’s desire is.
2 John 2:15-17 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Do you seek after the things of this world and its ways? This is where rust and moth corrupt and decay sets in. It is also where the devil and his evil forces bring destruction since Satan has influence and control over the kingdoms (governments) of this world, which in time will all pass away. (Satan revealed his worldly influence to Jesus at the temptation.)
Luke 4:5-6 – And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Why would a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ have a love for this world and any of its things? As Jesus said, this world hates you just as it hates Him.
John 15:18-19 – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Instead of seeking this world, and the things of this world, we should be seeking those tings which are above; heavenly things, where Christ is seated with our Heavenly Father.
Colossians 3:1-2 & 4-7 – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
As believers we are to be living a new and redeemed life, as God’s children Therefore our lives should reflect Him, His character and nature. However, most churches are not properly presenting this issue.
Colossians 3:5-10 – Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:.
Where your heart and its affections are is where you put forth effort to obtain or achieve. As a child of God we are to allow God to direct our paths, to lead us, and to provide for us.
Matthew 6:19-21 – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
God knows what you need to live on this earth.
Matthew 6:31-33 – Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
He promised to supply all these needs, so there is no need to worry ourselves about seeking after the necessary things of this world. If we devote our seeking toward Him and His kingdom then He has everything else covered for us.
Philippians 4:6-7 & 19 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We are to trust Him and His Word and He will not only protect and guide us but provide all that we need.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and heshall direct thy paths.
Please understand that those of us who belong to Him have a purpose and plan that God instituted for us.
Romans 8:28-29 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Our eternal life, which began at being born-again, is not centered on the things of this earth but in His kingdom; that is if we are truly living for Him as His children. Thus our primary focus in this life is to be conformed to His image as sons of God. This is because being “saved”, our citizenship is in heaven, not here on earth; we are here temporarily, and that is so as to witness about Jesus to others.
How do you seek the Kingdom of God and those things that are above? The answer is simple: study His Word, the Holy Bible and commiun with the Lord in prayer, expecting results. Then be willing to share with others what the Lord shows you. Thus spiritually you have stepped into His Kingdom’s realm!
