But Seek First His Kingdom

I was trying to gain an understanding of the meaning of Matthew 6:33 apart from (or maybe including) other interpretations of it, as is the case for me with a lot of scripture, especially well-known verses.  My issue is with the common interpretation of this verse that has resulted in the importance of a religious practice that has seemingly taken precedence over the Word itself. 

Verse 33 and 34 of Matthew six is a conclusion of the previous eight verses spoken by Jesus, so in order to gain an understanding; we have to include them as well.  Jesus explains that worrying is futile -even about essential things, such as food and clothing.  And Jesus concludes that the needs of those who seek God before seeking these things will be met.  Jesus positions ‘things’ as secondary after the primary God, and the extension of God:  His kingdom and righteousness. 

seek- [trans. v.] 1. to resort; go to 2. search; look for 3. to try to discover; ask for: request 4. to try to acquire or gain (m-w.com).

first- [adj.] proceeding all others in time, order, or importance; earliest (m-w.com).

Concerning God’s kingdom, Jesus has said that God’s kingdom dwells within the individual believer (Lk 17:21).  The NIV study Bible commentary on Matthew 6:10 (‘The Lord’s Prayer’) explains that to ‘come’ isn’t in the sense of God’s kingdom not existing, because it’s already here (see Lk 17:21).  But it means to ‘come’ more and more completely until it’s full and final consummation.  God’s kingdom is birthed within the believer after they believe and confess (Ro 10:9).  And it is revealed more and more through the continued maturation of the working out of their salvation (Php 2:12-13). God’s kingdom is defined as the reign of God that is brought about through Jesus Christ –i.e. the establishment of God’s rule in the hearts and lives of his people, the overcoming of all the forces of evil, the removal from the world of all consequences of sin –including death and all that diminishes life- and a creation of a new order of righteousness and peace (NIV study Bible note on Mt 3:2).  

Many people insist that this means we must pray in the morning.  And I’m not saying that this interpretation and practice is wrong.  What I’m saying is that an understanding of Mt 6:33 isn’t limited by this interpretation.  Just as the four gospels give four different takes on the same life and events, it’s also possible for us to see things differently and all still be correct.  Based on the previous definitions and scripture seeking God first can be expressed in various ways in the life of a Christian (studying God’s word in the morning, praying over a situation before acting on it, seeking the wise counsel of God’s word before turning to anyone or anything else, etc.).  There are many instances in the Bible where the Lord speaks very plainly (Ex 20:1-17; Mal 2:16; 2Co 6:14-18), and I think that if this was as simple as merely praying in the morning, Jesus would just said, Pray in the morning.    

It’s always good for people to make God’s Word personal, seek revelation on it, and apply it to their lives.  However when, in pride, we attempt to validate our interpretation or understanding by presenting them as gospel, we get into a dangerous way of thinking called legalism, which will prevent God’s us from gaining a true relationship with him, as evidenced by the fault-finding Pharisees and Sadducees in the New Testament.  It’s always important to keep things in proper perspective.  And as Jesus said, all ‘things’ (to include our ideas, interpretations, and religious practices) have their proper place after God’s way, his kingdom and righteousness.         

Hypocrisy

I think the word is thrown around far too often.  But that’s my opinion.  To be sure we know of what we speak of, let’s first define what is, so we know what isn’t.

Hypocrisy- 1. feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion (m-w.com).

Hypocrite- 1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion  2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings (m-w.com).

Jesus identifies those who:

• make an show of their acts of goodness, doing so for their own glory, hypocrites because one's who in service to God will do so for His glory (Mt 6:2, 5, 16; Lk 6:42; Mt 23:5-7). 
• ignore their own blindingly obvious sin, but attempts to point out another’s sin hypocrites (Mt 7:5). 
• honor the Lord with their lips, but hearts are far from him hypocrites, as well as those who merely adhere to religious practices instead of seeking a genuine relationship with him (Mt 7:5).
• ask questions only to entrap and provoke, instead of asking them out of a sincere desire to learn the truth hypocrites (Mt 22:18).
• (in Mt 23) don’t practice what they preach (v.3), burden people with religion (v.4, 15) choose to observe only part of God’s word (v. 23), are more concerned with how they appear than how they are (v. 25-28), and persecute -and even put to death- those who speak the truth and are righteous (v. 29-36) hypocrites.
• interpret ‘signs’ hypocrites (Mt 24:51).
• routinely disobeyed the law, but criticized him for seemingly doing the same hypocrites (Lk 13:15).

Jesus also identifies hypocrisy as something we need to be on guard for and rid ourselves of -if found; it’s an evil corruption that works its way through and permeates like yeast (Lk 12:1; 1 Pe 2:1).  Like David, we shouldn’t consort with hypocrites because bad company corrupts good character (Ps 26:4; 1 Co 15:33).  And the Lord lets us know explicitly that there’s a place set aside for hypocrites (Mt 24:51). 

Although the dictionary also defines hypocrisy as a mere act of hypocrisy, based on scripture we see that it is more an attribute or feature that makes up and distinguishes an individual. In other words it’s based in a person’s character.  Hypocrisy is seen as being a main or central part of their nature in scripture (m-w.com).  For us to call someone a hypocrite is a serious accusation.  (Remember, to accuse is to exhibit a character trait of Satan; Rev 12:10.)  But Jesus Christ, the Word himself, was more than justified.  Coming from him, it was not an accusation, but a judgment.

And lest you get beside yourselves unbelievers, those who have a false virtue or religion may be called hypocrites. But the Bible calls people who have no religion

…other things.