What Is Holding You Back?
In 2023, the news broke out of an American centimillionaire, Bryan Johnson, who had been seeking a way to live forever. With the help of a team of doctors and researchers, Johnson devoted all of his time and energy to ensuring that he would never die. Millions of dollars were spent on technologies, diets and supplements to defy the inevitable. Life routines and priorities were all shifted and changed so that he may gain what he seeks—eternity in this passing world.
Most of us probably cannot think of doing what Johnson does. We do not have millions of dollars to spend on a mere experiment, and if we have put our trust in Jesus, we know we already have eternal life (John 3:16). For us, death in this world is rightly described as κοιμάω, meaning “falling asleep” (Acts 7:60; 1 Cor 11:30; 1 Thess 4:13), because the day is coming when we will all be risen imperishable and immortal (1 Cor 15:52-53), following in the footsteps of our Saviour and Lord Jesus who was gloriously and bodily resurrected (Luke 24:36-43; Matt 28:1-10; John 20:24-29). We know on that day He will transform our lowly bodies into glorious bodies (Phil 3:21), ones that are not pale, nor suspiciously sickly.
But although we know what should be known and have trusted in the one who should be trusted, in this world, we can still be distracted from what really matters. Rather than making God, His everlasting kingdom and our role as its citizens the priority in our lives, we busy ourselves with the things of this world. Even worse, we may busy ourselves with building our own kingdom in this passing world, even though we know there should be no other King but Jesus (Rev 19:16) and that the choices we make in this world as a Christian will impact our eternity (1 Cor 3:10-15). We run after many things, wilfully disobeying what Jesus has said, “Seek first His (God’s) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt 6:33).”
Jesus’ command to put God’s kingdom as the priority was first uttered to the people who lived precariously. They did not have superannuation or the promise of a pension, only able to seek their daily bread (Matt 6:11). Their questions, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” (Matt 6:31) come from a genuine anxiety of their daily survival. Yet despite their precarious living, Jesus assured them that the heavenly Father knows what they need (Matt 6:31) and will provide for them (Matt 6:33). Now, if Jesus calls those who live precariously to make God and His kingdom the priority, then surely, we who are living comfortably and safely in countries like Australia are without excuse. Even if we are concerned about the cost of living for the kingdom, Jesus accompanied His call with an assurance of future providence. So we really are without excuse.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
Jesus calls us to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matt 6:33), but what is it that is holding you back from obeying His command? Is it not your selfishness? But how can we remain selfish if we have tasted the sweetness of Jesus’ selfless love on the cross? But is it your desire to build your own life and “house” in this world that is holding you back? Yet unless the Lord builds our “house”, we labour in vain (Ps 127:1). Beloved, selfishness and self-centeredness are sin, and sin hinders us from living out God’s good purpose for our lives. We need to throw off our selfishness and self-centeredness that so easily entangle (Heb 12:1). We shall not forget that we are created for Jesus (Col 1:16) and for good works which God prepared beforehand (Eph 2:9-10). To settle for anything less than God and His purpose is a loss. As C.S. Lewis famously and astutely says in his Mere Christianity, “Aim at Heaven, and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither.”
Respond by Praying
Lord, I confess that I have been seeking many things but Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Forgive me for my sins. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus and renew me by the power of Your Spirit, so I may make You and Your kingdom the priority in my life and do the good works You have prepared for me. Please help me walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that You will provide all I need, as You have promised. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Respond by Acting
Reconsider your life priorities and routines so that you are not hindered from seeking God’s kingdom.
Begin reading your Bible daily and prayerfully, asking God to speak to you through His Word. If you are unsure where to start, consider using Our Daily Bread or purchasing a devotional such as New Morning Mercies, Daily Joy: A Devotional for Women, or My Rock; My Refuge: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms.
Come to church on Sunday. Meeting other Christians at church weekly is the way to spur one another on toward love and good works (Heb 10:24-25).
Related Sermon
Respond by Singing: Build My Life (Passion)
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You…