Who Rules Me?

The totality of Jesus’ teaching is critical for every generation to understand and obey. With that said, certain portions are more applicable based on the struggles each generation faces as they live on earth. Jesus taught the people of His generation and emphasized their struggles, but as He did so, He answered problems that would arise until the end of time, some of which are general and others which are specific. One of the general problems people will always face is the answer to, “Who controls me?”

Seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). This teaching from Jesus came in a section dealing with the master you choose to serve, and more specifically about whether you will make your life about accumulating things or serving God. One of those two goals will hold influence over the other. Jesus teaches that people must seek God’s kingdom first. That is, people must honor God’s rulership in all things. God gets control of everything.

Too often the teaching is “put God first.” While the intention is almost always innocent, the instruction can be misunderstood as saying that after I finish with God’s part in my life (often thought of as worship attendance), I can go about my second, third, and fourth priorities without considering how God relates to them. On the contrary, God is not just “first.” God shapes all. To seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first means that His rulership shapes every goal that is set, and if anything begins to compete with God’s place of rulership and influence, that thing must go so that God remains unchallenged and His authority undiminished in the life of the individual.

Too often, politics, careers, pay raises, family relationships, and the comforts of life are allowed to steal influence over people, and God’s rulership is partially ignored because some current events seem bigger or more important than God’s direction. In everything and in every moment, those who follow Christ must seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Let Him shape all that you are and all that you chase.