Righteous country (part 3): 'Seek His Righteousness...not your own.'
A great tip to read the Bible while gaining understanding, remains in the reader's willingness to read Bible passage 'word per word' in slow motion.
At times, it is so easy to read Bible passages in a fast motion as if we were in a 'fast food' restaurant ordering some quick chicken wings. For this cause, many promises and Bible passages are often misunderstood and thrown in the air as 'Facebook verses' ( Facebook verses are Bible popular passages shared as social media posts butchered with the objectives of gaining the 'thumbs up).
Let us read the passage of Matthew 6:33 in slow motion:
'But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well' (NIV)
While reading the passage slowly, I took notice of the pronoun 'His'. If we exercise at reading the verse 'word per word', we will realize that we ought to seek His righteousness and NOT our own righteousness. And this startling revelation becomes a 'game changer' in the way we live because many of us live on our own righteousness and not on God's righteousness. This explains why the passage of Matthew 6:33 does not held any effects...
What did Jesus mean by ...'His righteousness'?
The subject of 'righteousness' is a subject that can easily confuse more than many. First, to clarify, we should all remember that we become righteous by believing in Jesus. We do not become righteous by our own efforts or our own pride, BUT by believing in Jesus. As the Bible says in Romans 3:22:
'We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.'
(NLT version)
I explained more on the subject of righteousness by comparing it to an earthly citizenship in this post: Righteous country (part 1): 'Citizens of Heaven'
We do nothing to receive righteousness, just like a new born baby does nothing to obtain the citizen of his/her birth land. But once the baby obtains and bears the 'free citizenship', he/she has a duty to carry his/her nationality through his/her lifestyle. There are more details in the mentioned linked post above...
JESUS STEPPING UP:
Usually, Jesus had the habit of stepping things up or in other words, Jesus had the habit of raising standards. Let me give you a few examples; Jesus said:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
(Matthew 5:21-22, NIV)
Have you seen the level where Jesus raises standards? Here is another one:
'You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.'
(Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)
Here is another one:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
(Matthew 22: 36-40, NIV)
And just in case, someone might get confused by thinking that love towards God only consist of lip service during the Sunday morning Worship service, Jesus gears the speed at higher step in John 14:15 where He says:
'If you love me, keep my commands.' (NIV)
The entire chapter of Matthew 5 and many other sayings by Jesus, reflect the standards to which He raised the 'game of life'.
It is very important to take note of the way Jesus spoke where He often raised the standards above our own human standards. This is one reason why He often got on people's nerves.
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS...NOT OURS.
Did Jesus step up when speaking in Matthew 6:33? Yes He definitely did.
Paul in Romans 3:22 speaks of the Righteousness at the beginning stage of our walk with Jesus.
Why am I saying that Jesus stepped up in Matthew 6:33?
Before mentioning the passage of Matthew 6:33, Jesus makes mention of what the pagans seek all the time: 'food and clothing', or security.
At first, Jesus encourages us to step up from focusing on basic needs to focusing on higher values. Secondly, righteousness is not only the free gift obtained by believing in Jesus. Righteousness is also a lifestyle. By mentioning how the pagans live (in their lifestyle), Jesus contextualized righteousness into a lifestyle. Not just only as a free gift but also as a lifestyle we bear with us. For a better understanding, please read the first part of this series.
And let us not be confused: 'the free gift is HIS and the lifestyle of righteousness is HIS as well. Having a lifestyle of righteousness steps us to move from the 'infant stage' where we receive the free gift and do nothing with it to the stage where we make something of HIS gift.
The GOD'S WORD Bible version of the same passage brings an interesting translation:
'But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.'
When we become concerned about what has His approval, we suddenly steps into a practical lifestyle. Remember: 'Not our lifestyle, but His lifestyle'. In other words, the choices and decisions we take ,after receiving the free gift of Righteousness, must be in line with His approval or His will for our life.
For example: 'Though I have received His free gift of righteousness, I still have to do His will for the remainder of my life. I still have to live in HIS ways. The lifestyle of righteousness does not make me righteous because I am righteous by believing in Jesus through faith. The lifestyle of righteousness is a decision resulting from the free gift I received. It is a 'step-up'.
WHAT IS SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS?
It matters that we define it because, again, the term tends to spread a great amount of confusion. Well, the term can define itself:
Self (our own)+ righteousness (what is right)
OR : Self-righteousness is simply what we judge right i
n our eyes or perspective while excluding what God approves. This is why Jesus was clear, He said:. 'Seek HIS righteousness'.
Unbelievers and believers can be 'self-righteous' alike. How?
For example, if God tells me to pursue a career in law but I decide to pursue a career in engineering, then I will be acting out of what seems right to my own eyes while excluding what God approves. In my own eyes (SELF) , I would be doing the right thing (RIGHTEOUSNESS). But that righteousness would not come from God but from me. At that moment, I am 'self-righteous'.
So many believers have married in 'self-righteousness'. So many are pursuing careers out of 'self-righteousness'. So many are even serving in the ministry out of self-righteousness (serving God their own way)....
This has to stop: Righteousness as a free gift comes from Him. Righteousness as a lifestyle also comes from HIM and is found in His will for your life.