Context for Matthew 6:19-34
Jesus unambiguously tells us what we are to be doing as Christians. The only question that remains is whether we are going to do it.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.â€
Matthew 6:33-34 NASB
Sometimes the thought of being a Christian can be overwhelming. Honestly, how is it possible that I can be a sinner, incapable of any hope of saving myself, incapable of even achieving my own faith, yet, at the same time, through the gift of my faith through God’s grace, I am now called upon to live a life pleasing to my God. Indeed, I am called upon to be perfect as He is perfect.
Well, the same God that gave me my faith by grace also gave me the means to fulfill His will. As we discussed in the previous post, God lays out for us what He means when He says to seek His kingdom first. There is no ambiguity about what God wants us to do. The Bible is full of His will for us, a will we should joyfully pursue because of His grace.
The question then, is not whether or not I know what to do or whether I have been given the means to do what I should do, but whether I will conquer my sinful nature through the strength given to me through my Baptism and actually do it. The question is whether I will turn the glaring eye of my faith on my own life, using it like a spiritual laser to cut away those parts that do not conform to God and His clear purpose for me.
And applying my faith to my life is exactly what Jesus- our God- meant when He told us to seek first His kingdom. We have everything we need to accomplish the task. Now we have to do it, and it is that doing that is a lifetime in the making.
DLH
