Article February 21, 1948 Issue

THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST

FREDERICK AVERY

In a well-loved passage from the Bible we find these words (Matt. 6:33): "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This statement by Christ Jesus recently appeared in one of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, and as the writer pondered the truths brought out in that Lesson the words quoted stood out clearly in his thought. While at the time that particular Lesson was being studied this passage did not further develop in his thought, some time later these words came back to him and their deeper meaning began to unfold.

As he considered the passage, he asked himself: What does it really mean to seek first the kingdom of God? Are we always ready and willing to seek knowledge of God first, letting the things added come after? What do we do when we seem to have a problem, a physical difficulty, for instance? Do we seek the understanding of God first, or do we rather seek the physical healing first?

These were searching questions, and as he considered them more and more deeply, and honestly probed his thought, the writer admitted that, at least in his own experience, usually the healing was sought first. While there was constant effort on his part to know more about God as the only power, he recognized that in most cases the gaining of this understanding was thought of as something separate and apart from healing. Yet such an approach to a problem is very far from that revealed by the Master's instruction, which indicates not only an opportunity, but also a necessity for a spiritual approach to the working out of one's problems.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
MORNING PRAYER
February 21, 1948
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit