THE QUEST FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM
THE QUEST FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM: HIS KINGDOM IS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT!
“For the KINGDOM of God is not a matter of EATING and DRINKING [what one likes], but of RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit” Romans 14:17 (Amplified).
The KINGDOM OF GOD in the course of doing life and living godly in grace, is much more about RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit than about FOOD and DRINK and PLEASURE, as many will crave and even sell their FAITH and conscience to have and possess.
God’s kingdom is of righteousness because the WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is of Christ Jesus. It is efficacious and fruitful. It gives us the right to stand before God and to be emboldened in grace – without shame, without fear, feeling unsafe, insecure, or inferior -just as it is written concerning the WORK and EFFECT of righteousness:
“And the WORK of RIGHTEOUSNESS shall be PEACE; and the EFFECT of RIGHTEOUSNESS QUIETNESS and ASSURANCE for ever” Isaiah 32:17.
“And the FRUIT of righteousness is SOWN in PEACE of them that make PEACE” James 3:18.
The WORK to have a righteous STAND with God in Christ Jesus stead gives PEACE and the EFFECT of that righteous STAND gives QUIETNESS and ASSURANCE for ever. What a position to take a stand in – to enjoy God through life, in grace.
“Therefore being JUSTIFIED by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 by whom also we have ACCESS by faith into this GRACE wherein we STAND, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” Romans 5:1-2.
Do ensure that your WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS with God leads you to PEACE – meaning, it brings about PEACE. And the RIGHTEOUS EFFECT eventually gives ASSURANCE and QUIETNESS, and not confusion, schism, or hopelessness.
SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK!
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“For Christ is the end of the law for RIGHTEOUSNESS to EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH” Romans 10:4
“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His KINGDOM and His RIGHTEOUSNESS [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also” Matthew 6:33 (Amplified).
“For he hath MADE him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be MADE the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is MADE UNTO US wisdom, and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, according as it is written, He that GLORIETH, let him GLORY in the Lord” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
SUMMARY
The message talks about THE QUEST FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM, and that His Kingdom is of RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit.
KEY POINTS
- THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM
The message teaches that the KINGDOM OF GOD is not defined by what we eat, drink, or by carnal pleasure.
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
In the course of doing life and living godly in grace, the Kingdom is far more about RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit than about FOOD, DRINK and PLEASURE — things that many crave and even sell their FAITH and conscience to possess.
- THE FOUNDATION OF THE KINGDOM: RIGHTEOUSNESS
The message explains that God’s Kingdom is of RIGHTEOUSNESS because THE WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is of Christ Jesus.
It is efficacious and fruitful. It gives us the right to stand before God and to be emboldened in grace — without shame, without fear, without feeling unsafe, insecure, or inferior.
This is how Scripture describes it:
Isaiah 32:17
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
James 3:18
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
- THE RESULT OF TAKING A RIGHTEOUS STAND
The message emphasises that the WORK to have a righteous STAND with God in Christ Jesus gives PEACE.
And the EFFECT of that righteous STAND gives QUIETNESS and ASSURANCE for ever.
What a position to take — to stand in righteousness and enjoy God through life, in grace.
Romans 5:1-2
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
The message exhorts:
Do ensure that your WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS with God leads you to PEACE.
The RIGHTEOUS EFFECT should give ASSURANCE and QUIETNESS, and not confusion, schism, or hopelessness.
- CHRIST IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
The message anchors righteousness in Christ, not in human effort or law-keeping.
Romans 10:4
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
We are made righteous in Him.
- THE CALL TO PRIORITY
The message concludes with the call to seek God first.
Matthew 6:33
“But first and most importantly seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you also.”
To seek His righteousness is to seek His way of doing and being right — the attitude and character of God.
When we do, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit become our daily experience.
IN ONE SENTENCE:
The message talks about how THE QUEST FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM is a quest for RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit — a life secured by Christ’s work, evidenced by peace and assurance, and pursued by seeking first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
First published on Achievers’ FAITH Digest. Read the original →