I grew up in a time where exposure to the gospel was common place. Most kids were sent to Sunday school as there parents did before them and most often to the denominational linage of the same; in what I would view as an indoctrination to the accompanying doctrine. I'm not making any judgmental assessment here of differential belief systems. Parental authority therein is an inherent right and obligation never to be abridged and does not concern me here. What does concern me more and leads me in another direction of examination is more personal. "Seek ye first" is an admonition of the Lord. What I've been taught has to be reconciled, not only to scripture, but to a real relational reality with the Lord. The world is already full of parrots. Relationship demands more. Repetition doesn't equate to knowledge any more than water to oil. If you have accepted that God is real He will demand more than an acknowledgement. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" demands much more. My path changed more, the more I thought about this. It changed into a quest of sorts. The parental authority I started to seek changed to my Father in heaven. He challenged me and I challenged Him right back. This was sometimes bordering on the fringes of remedial recompense, but I found this to be the same as an earthly father building a strong resilience in his son. I dove right in to ecclesiastical study. All the while, submitting myself to correction. I wanted assurance from my Father that my life was in line with His Kingdom. In other words, that knowledge always requires action and a healthy fear of misrepresentation concerning His word and will.
Now, as concerning "and His righteousness" which conjoins with the preceding;"seek ye first the kingdom of God"; we have that which under girds the intent. The implication of need, is based on the understanding that God knows our needs, and these fall short of import as to the value of the birthing of righteousness. Being "born again" has no meaning without the understanding or the seeking of "His righteousness." Sonship involves the transformation of our very self. Righteousness becomes more than an adornment and becomes a transition to a new being, a new life.
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
This is more than just a plea, or confession, or a prayer. It's a lifelong quest, if you will, a transformation that is birthed and fueled by faith.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Onward christian soldier! Every day may be a battle or not; but one thing I've learned is there is no victory without the fight. The question that remains is "are you willing to fight?
My admonition; Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
