This is Part 4 of How do we seek the kingdom of God? All based on Jesus’ words, But seek ye first the kingdom of God. I’ve considered the context (surrounding verses) in both Matthew 6 and Luke 12 where the phrase occurs, provided an explanation of the kingdom of God; and in my last post took a look at Matthew 16:23, thou savourest not the things that be of God.
That was an interesting jump considering neither seek nor kingdom occur in this verse. How does this have anything to do with seek ye first the kingdom of God? Well, I pointed out that Jesus was saying, “Peter, you’re not focused on the things of God; you’re not pursuing or seeking the things of God.” I believe this is how we seek the kingdom – we focus on the things of God, we pursue, we seek the things of God.
It is interesting that the apostles never quote Matthew 6:33. They may never quote it, but they teach us how to do it! Which brings us to Romans 8. I’m going to skim through the first 14 verses, trusting the Lord that it will all be clear when I’m done!
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Here is the setting: there is a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh is associated with sin and death, the Spirit with life. The Spirit has freed us from the law of sin and death, and when we walk after the Spirit the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Here is the setting: there is a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh is associated with sin and death, the Spirit with life. The Spirit has freed us from the law of sin and death, and when we walk after the Spirit the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
This is what we’re looking for. He does not use the word seek, but it is the same word as in Matthew 16:23, phroneo, which means to focus us, pursue, seek. Those who live after the flesh (according to the flesh, governed by the flesh) focus on, pursue, seek the things of the flesh. Those who live after the Spirit focus on, pursue, seek the things of the Spirit. The things of the Spirit, are they not the things of God? the kingdom of God? I think they are. And I think Paul is teaching us how to seek first the kingdom of God.
This is what we’re looking for. He does not use the word seek, but it is the same word as in Matthew 16:23, phroneo, which means to focus us, pursue, seek. Those who live after the flesh (according to the flesh, governed by the flesh) focus on, pursue, seek the things of the flesh. Those who live after the Spirit focus on, pursue, seek the things of the Spirit. The things of the Spirit, are they not the things of God? the kingdom of God? I think they are. And I think Paul is teaching us how to seek first the kingdom of God.
The question now from Romans 8 is, What are the things of the flesh? What are the things of the Spirit? Yes indeed. But since Paul himself doesn’t answer that here, neither will I. (I plan to, but not now)
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Literally, the mind of the flesh…the mind of the Spirit. The mind focused on the flesh, pursuing, seeking the things of the flesh, is death. The mind of the Spirit is life and peace.
Literally, the mind of the flesh…the mind of the Spirit. The mind focused on the flesh, pursuing, seeking the things of the flesh, is death. The mind of the Spirit is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The mind of the flesh is hostile to God. It is contrary to God and his ways. In fact, such a mind-set is unable to submit to God.
The mind of the flesh is hostile to God. It is contrary to God and his ways. In fact, such a mind-set is unable to submit to God.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
This is a spiritual condition. The problem is they don’t have the Spirit of God.
This is a spiritual condition. The problem is they don’t have the Spirit of God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This is being born again. I was in the flesh, not willing to submit to God, seeking only to satisfy the desires of my body and my soul; unable to submit to God, and actually hostile toward Him. That’s being spiritually dead. When I was born again the Holy Spirit gave me a new heart, a new spirit, and came to dwell in me. The mind of the Spirit is seeking Him and His ways, which are life and peace. Or, in the words of Christ, Seek ye first the kingdom of God.
This is being born again. I was in the flesh, not willing to submit to God, seeking only to satisfy the desires of my body and my soul; unable to submit to God, and actually hostile toward Him. That’s being spiritually dead. When I was born again the Holy Spirit gave me a new heart, a new spirit, and came to dwell in me. The mind of the Spirit is seeking Him and His ways, which are life and peace. Or, in the words of Christ, Seek ye first the kingdom of God.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Life, life, life!
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Life, life, life!
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The mind of the flesh - focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the flesh – is to live after the flesh, according to the flesh. Live like that and you will die.
The mind of the Spirit – focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the Spirit – is to live after the Spirit, according to the Spirit. Live like that and you will live. This means I will mortify the deeds of the body by the power of the Spirit. The deeds of the body are the things of the flesh. They will be more clearly enunciated in my next post.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The mind of the flesh - focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the flesh – is to live after the flesh, according to the flesh. Live like that and you will die.
The mind of the Spirit – focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the Spirit – is to live after the Spirit, according to the Spirit. Live like that and you will live. This means I will mortify the deeds of the body by the power of the Spirit. The deeds of the body are the things of the flesh. They will be more clearly enunciated in my next post.
I am fully persuaded that Paul is describing and explaining seek ye first the kingdom of God. How do we seek kingdom? by focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the Spirit. And the Father has given us the Spirit to help us. See? It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom!
Next: Colossians 3 Set your affection on things above
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