The invisible kingdom

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.            Matthew 6:33, kjv

Jesus told the disciples that they were to earnestly seek His Kingdom, and the word He used translated “seek” is an interesting one. Two Greek words are both translated as “to seek”. One word was used, say of an athlete, who desperately sought to win a race, or young person who sought admission to a certain school.

The other word was used of a search for something that at one time you possessed but for whatever reason you had lost and badly wanted to regain. It was this word that Jesus used. Was this a subtle reminder that God had created us for fellowship, for intimacy with Himself  but with the passing of time we had turned our back on Him and gone our own way? Perhaps.

Obviously, there can be no kingdom  visible or invisible  unless there is a king, unless there is royalty. But the kingdom that Jesus spoke of was God’s Kingdom, which He had left to come to earth.

Paul said that eventually God would again send His Son to establish His Kingdom on earth. He told Timothy “to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time   God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever” (1 Timothy 6:14-16).

But meanwhile, God rules and reigns in the hearts of His subjects, who acknowledge the sovereign God who sent His Son to our world to redeem us and to make us part of the Kingdom of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair  every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding willl guard you. Proverbs 2: 6-11