It is intriguing to refer to our God as the Righteous One and the Holy One. As God embodies holiness, He has called us to attain holiness ourselves, enabling us to experience His presence at its fullest. Regrettably, despite our recognition of God as a righteous One and His invitation to pursue holiness, we often fall short of embodying righteousness and holiness required to keep us in His presence.
Practically speaking, we often lack the necessary edification in our lives, merely addressing God as the Righteous and the Holy without comprehending the true significance of these titles. Consequently, one must consider the obstacles that impede our relationship with God and hinder our understanding. Ultimately, it pertains to our priorities concerning our needs and desires, along with the realization of what is essential for maintaining peace and a continual relationship with our Father God.
God Makes His Word Glorious
It pleased the LORD
for the sake of his righteousness
to make his law great and glorious. – Isaiah 42:21 (NIV)
The Psalmist declared that the righteous should express gladness and rejoice in the presence of God, for they shall experience happiness and joy (Psalm 68:3). The underlying reason for the joy of the righteous lies in the fact that God Himself rejoices in His own righteousness. According to the Bible, those deemed righteous are those who attain righteousness through the grace of the Son of God. As these children of God earnestly seek the righteousness that pleases Him, they consequently experience complete joy and peace.
In this context, we must discern whether we have genuinely attained the peace that God offers, or whether we are merely satisfying ourselves with the joy derived from fulfilling our own desires. A second crucial consideration is whether we diligently seek the righteousness of God. It is likely that we do not actively pursue God’s righteousness, despite being made righteous through the righteousness of Jesus. So, how can we assess our current state?
Do we possess a genuine desire to read and comprehend the Word of God, considering the context in which God articulated those Words and their relevance to our lives today? If we lack the desire to study Scripture or find ourselves struggling to grasp its principles, it becomes apparent that we are not wholly seeking His righteousness. The Scriptures affirm that, for the sake of His righteousness, God renders His law (Word) both great and glorious.
What Does Prevent Us From Seeking The Righteousness of God?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
We are frequently instructed to prioritize His Kingdom and His Righteousness as a means to attain worldly blessings. Similarly, as Jesus instructs us to pray for the Father to provide His Word to us daily, we merely used that to request earthly sustenance.
The primary obstacle in our pursuit of God’s righteousness lies in the perception of blessings as conditional, despite our understanding of God’s unconditional love. It raises the question of how a God who loves all unconditionally could impose conditions for receiving His blessings. In Matthew chapter six, when instructing His disciples on prayer, Jesus affirms that our Father in Heaven is aware of our needs even before we articulate them, and He provides for us even prior to our requests. This principle is further evidenced by His equal distribution of blessings to both the righteous and the unrighteous, as stated in Matthew 5:45.
Our quest for His Kingdom and righteousness is meant to ensure that these blessings are bestowed upon us when we diligently seek His righteousness. However, the conditional aspect of blessings associated with this promise from Jesus compels us to pursue God’s righteousness in order to access the additional blessings linked to it. This concept resembles a “buy one, get one free” promotion in the commercial sector, where the intent is to encourage sales through various schemes. In contrast, our Father God is not engaged in commerce; He offers everything freely. Therefore, it is perplexing to consider how conditions could be attached to His blessings, which are available to all at no cost.
Understanding the Context
Matthew chapter 6 primarily conveys the teachings of Jesus regarding the importance of relinquishing concerns over trivial matters and prioritizing the Kingdom of God. Throughout His discourse, Jesus references the lives of birds and the splendor of flowers to illustrate that, even without anxiety or supplication, God provides for their sustenance and adorns them in exquisite colors and beauty. Subsequently, Jesus poses a question regarding the extent of God’s care for us and emphasizes the greater provision He offers for our needs.
The central aim of these teachings is to highlight that, since God supplies all necessities for our lives, there is little else required of us. Thus, instead of worrying, we should recognize the ease with which everything is provided and focus on embracing the temporary peace that arises from the abundance of worldly provisions while redirecting our attention towards the Kingdom and righteousness of God.
However, we often find ourselves pursuing Him solely for the material provisions that have already been granted to us, neglecting the abundance of blessings bestowed by God. In our unwavering quest for these earthly rewards, we overlook the deeper significance of His righteousness. If this verse did not imply a connection between seeking His righteousness and receiving blessings, it is doubtful that individuals would be inclined to approach God.
Though the promise articulated appears to be conditional, it serves as a guiding principle in our personal lives, emphasizing the importance of seeking God for righteousness rather than for worldly matters. To receive the blessings mentioned in the subject verse, we should know what blessings we really lack in our lives. While the abundance of worldly blessings is there and gives us temporary peace, what we are really lacking is the peace of God. Because we take the temporary peace that comes to us when we receive what we desired, we are continually living in the darkness without knowing what the peace of God really means to our lives.
The ultimate aim of every forgiven child of God is to attain holiness, for God calls everyone to become holy, as He is holy (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16). Nevertheless, when one transcends the temptations of material prosperity and reaches the point of convergence, which is God’s righteousness, the aspirations of both God and man align, imparting a unspeakable peace that surpasses any earthly blessing. It is essential to recognize that no material blessing can provide the peace of God; rather, only the righteousness of God can bestow eternal peace.
Theme of the Sermon
The centre theme of Matthew chapter 6 emphasizes the imperative of alleviating worry in a world replete with concerns. This can be achieved through the pursuit of God’s righteousness rather than the quest for material possessions. The outcome of seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness transcends mere material blessings; it encompasses the vital peace of God that is often lacking in our lives. When we prioritize His Kingdom and righteousness, the peace of God will manifest within us, surpassing all other earthly blessings.
The emphasis placed on material wealth diverts our attention from acquiring God’s wisdom, as articulated through the various illustrations and parables presented by Jesus. Seeking the righteousness defined by God aids us in understanding the teachings conveyed through these parables.
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. – Luke 16:9 (NIV)
If one aspires to the righteousness of God and His Kingdom, it is imperative to accord significant importance to the Word of God, which God Himself glorifies in His righteousness (Isaiah 42:21). Prioritizing His Word facilitates the removal of the blindness instilled by the god of this age, enabling one to perceive the light of the Gospel. It becomes evident that Jesus instructs us to refrain from relying on worldly wealth for entry into His eternal dwellings.
Conversely, neglecting the pursuit of God’s righteousness may result in the acquisition of worldly wealth through various means, which might be offered to God as tribute, used to gather funds for the spread of the Gospel, or employed as a means of securing admission into His Kingdom. Moreover, the teachings conveyed through the life of Job have often been overshadowed by the pursuit of double measured worldly wealth (Job 42:10), leading many to overlook Job’s unwavering faith in God amidst adversity. In his trials, Job recognized that the love of God endures eternally.
Should we not embrace the blessings granted to a believer who earnestly seeks the righteousness of God and His Kingdom? These blessings primarily manifest as a irresistible desire to read His Word and to hear His voice, thereby overcoming the anxieties presented by the world. With such an approach, one may experience immense peace despite the myriad challenges that life presents.
Therefore, we must not misinterpret the attributes contributed to our lives in our quest for His kingdom as mere worldly blessings. Let us remove anything that blocks our way to God and focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. By doing this, we will receive the blessings of eternity for seeking His righteousness and Kingdom.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. – John 10:28 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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