Today’s Bible Trundle stems from a conversation my wife and I had during our morning devotion. We wondered if uprooting people from their families, cultures, and societal norms aligns with God’s plan, and if there’s a better way. This devotional reflects the insights from that discussion.
Seeking First the Kingdom of God and Finding Him in His Word
(Matthew 6:33; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 4:4)
God’s Word is our true sustenance, guiding us to love others with humility, not self-righteousness while seeking His kingdom and respecting cultural differences.
Introduction
When we seek the kingdom of God first, we align our lives with His priorities. This pursuit is not simply a lofty idea but a day-to-day act of finding God in His Word and reflecting His love to others. Yet, how we help others must be shaped by God’s Word, not by our self-righteousness or a need to appear virtuous.
Seek the Kingdom of God First
Matthew 6:33 (CSB) tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Jesus instructs us that above all, our priority should be the pursuit of God’s will and reign in our lives. This means not only living according to His righteousness but also placing God’s values at the core of our actions.
Augustine once wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” This reminds us that our peace and fulfillment are found in seeking God above all.
Finding God in His Word
Psalm 119:105 (CSB) says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” God’s Word is essential in guiding us through life. Jesus Himself, when tempted by the devil, declared in Matthew 4:4 (CSB), “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” This shows us that the Word of God is our true sustenance, not just a source of knowledge but the very nourishment that feeds our souls.
When we turn to Scripture, we are not just reading ancient texts; we are feeding on the life-giving words that come directly from God. His Word teaches us how to live, how to love, and how to see the world through His lens. By immersing ourselves in the Bible, we gain the wisdom and guidance we need to help others, not with pride or superiority, but with humility and grace.
As Oswald Chambers writes, “The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but the good which is not good enough.” We must continually align our actions with the Word, ensuring that our motivations stem from God’s truth, not our own sense of self-righteousness or desire for recognition. Scripture becomes the foundation for our hearts and our hands as we seek to serve.
Love Without Self-Righteousness
When Jesus commands us to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31), He emphasizes selflessness, not superiority. Helping others should never be an exercise in proving our moral worth. Instead, it should flow from the grace we’ve received from God. Philippians 2:3 (CSB) advises, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” This teaches us to act with humility, not to elevate ourselves.
Respecting Cultural Differences
While we are called to share the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20), we must do so with care. When we encounter other cultures, we should respect their experiences and histories. We must present the gospel in a way that brings the truth of God’s love, without uprooting people from their identity or imposing our own cultural lenses on them.
Paul modeled this approach in 1 Corinthians 9:22 (CSB), where he writes, “I have become all things to all people so that I may by every possible means save some.” We don’t disrupt or dominate—rather, we seek to understand, to serve, and to share the love of God in ways they can grasp and use within their own lives.
Conclusion
As believers, our goal is not to make others more like us, but to help them know Christ and grow in Him, all while keeping their culture, history, and identity intact. Through God’s Word, we learn to approach others with humility, love, and respect. Let us always seek His kingdom first, finding our strength and guidance in His Word.