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The First Commitment As Followers Of Christ

The gift of a Christ Consciousness. 

Like the broader world, our life in South Africa is marked by constant Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA). There are no easy solutions, quick-fixes, or easy ways out. 

How do we, as BELIEVERS, handle daily life in continual crisis?

Sequential Approach

Indeed, in various daily activities such as baking, sports, and human development phases, certain things must happen first to establish a solid foundation. Just as preheating the oven is crucial before baking to ensure even cooking, athletes warm up to prevent injuries before engaging in sports. In human development, infants learn to crawl before walking, and education typically begins with foundational knowledge in elementary school.

These examples highlight the importance of a sequential approach, where each step builds upon the previous one, creating a solid and sustainable foundation for success. This principle also applies to our faith journey: what comes first? 

Is it prayer or fasting? 

Prayer and fasting are essential because we are actively turning to God, but there is a deeper reality we need to find to survive. 

Jesus introduced a whole new approach and path! 

Seek First

KEY VERSE:  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Mat 6:33) 

This verse unlocks the most existential secret to a radical new way of living! 

A NEW CONSIOUSNESS. 

In our spiritual journey as followers of Christ, there is an ultimate preeminent first, from which all other activity is birthed and founded.  

IT IS the receiving of the gift of His righteousness – simply believing in His gift of salvation and redemption!  

The gift of HIS righteousness is not just another religious activity.

Today, there are so many religions and pathways of spirituality and faith. All religions are, in essence, the pursuit of my (self) righteousness, the steps I must take to be right with God.  But Jesus made a better way to salvation.

This SECRET of right living is:

  • not given unless someone SEEKS the KINGDOM.   
  • this TRUTH is hidden from the proud, unrepentant sinner who refuses to acknowledge their weaknesses.
  • directed towards those who EARNESTLY and GENUINELY seeks to conquer their inner struggles and openly admit their need for assistance.

Let us delve into more scriptures, finding this secret, hidden and most precious gift of RIGHT-LIVING.

Righteousness is a GIFT

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Romans 5:17 (NIV):

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV):

“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:9 (NIV):

“Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” Romans 10:3 (NIV):

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:21 (NIV):

A Treasure Hunt

“Kingdom” signifies God’s rule, governance, will, righteousness, way, and world. This is why part of the FIRST thing to always do in your walk with God is to seek His kingdom: His rule; His way; His operating system; and His way of ordering the world FIRST!  Ask yourself: What does He value? What is His will in this situation?  

The theme of “seeking” is prevalent in Jesus’ teachings. In the parable of the lost pearl (Matthew 13:45-46), the person sold everything to obtain that one pearl. The search for the lost coin (Luke 15:8) is another example. David wrote, “I rejoice at your word like one who finds great treasure” (Psalm 119:162). “His righteousness” is the precious pearl, the gift or treasure that everyone seeks. 

The word “first” is translated from the Greek word “proton,” which means first in position, rank, importance, and priority. Therefore, if we do not begin any spiritual activity in His righteousness, it leads to dead works. (Heb 6:1).

We don’t strive to become righteous; we start in His righteousness, and prayer flows from our position and access to God.

The OT perspective – per definition: You are always by default, standing outside of God’s grace, forgiveness, blessing, provision, glory, and presence!  Every religion sells its pathway (methods + works) to get to GOD! 

Futility of Religious Self-righteousness  

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

The first surprise of this story is that the “least in the Kingdom” is greater than the greatest prophets and holy men like John the Baptist and Elijah! How is this possible? What have these “least in the Kingdom” done to deserve such a glorious position of immanence? So also, the convicted murderer and thief, hanging next to Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:32-55), receives complete pardon and acceptance into heaven. Jesus recognized a heart of repentance when time ran out for the confession of sin.  

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. (Mat 11:11:12) “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. (Luk 16:16) 

The above verse is even more radical! Of course, we understand the violence Jesus is talking about is the violence of the sacrificial system of killing a lamb as propitiation – substituting our sin towards forgiveness and cleansing. 

The Greek translates “violent”: “971. βιάζω biázō; fut. biásō, from bía (G0970), violence. To overpower, impel, but also to rush into. In Matt. 11:12 used in the passage but with mid. meaning, i.e., the kingdom of God biázetai, is sought with eagerness, haste. It is not carefully thought of as to its consequences which may not be pleasant, such as persecution by one’s very own household (Matt. 10:36). In the mid. voice, meaning that one presses himself in to seize the kingdom with his own energy as if the kingdom could be had as something to be grasped.” 

The Kingdom is thus no longer attained by much striving and contention! It is received as a gift, that promptly must be grasped, taken hold of, seized! Like when someone grasps fruit on a table on the run.  

Jesus Compares Two Covenants: 

OT NT
Slaughter an animal Slaughter self (Mat 16:24; Gal 2:20; Rom 6:11)
Uncertain and temporal feelings of rightness Permanent gift of His righteousness 
Works to attain, strive, endure Receive, grasp, take hold 
Rich young ruler… still not certain…  ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13. 
Focus is on MY Righteousness Focus is on HIS Righteousness 
Pride and competition Thankfulness and humility 
No Proof: hope I did enough Proof: Joy and peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17

NT Examples of people grasping or taking hold (faith) of their healing or salvation: 

1. The Woman Grasping His Tunic – Matthew 9:20-22 (NIV)

2. The Syrophoenician Woman’s Persistent Faith – Mark 7:24-30 (NIV)

3. The Roman Soldier Commander’s Faith – Matthew 8:5-13

4. The Woman Caught in Adultery – John 8:1-11

5. The Persistent Widow Before the Unrighteous Judge – Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

So what is HIS WILL? 

JESUS IS THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD! 

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29) 

This is right here where OUR SELF-RIGHTOUESNESS falls far short. No one can be like Jesus! He is sinless! He is God! He is perfect! 

The Importance of SEEING HIM! 
First-hand seeing is paramount! 

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15 (NKJV):

The Samaritan Woman

“The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.'” John 4:19 (NKJV):

The convicted murderer / thief on the cross

“Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.'” Luke 23:42 (NKJV):

Peter & John 

“Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” John 20:8 (NKJV):

Thomas

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.‘” John 20:29 (NKJV):

The Emmaus Travellers

“Then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:31 (NKJV):

Paul

“And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?'”Acts 9:5-6 (NKJV):

Peter

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.‘” Matthew 16:15-16 (NKJV):

The most fundamental step in our walk of faith is to receive His righteousness. This isn’t merely a suggestion; it’s the foundational principle that underpins all spiritual endeavors.

Why is this so crucial?

  • It signifies a shift from relying on our own flawed righteousness to embracing the perfect righteousness of Christ.
  • It’s recognizing that our own efforts fall short, and we must trust in His righteousness to cover our imperfections. 

Religion often tempts us to try to earn “MY righteousness” through our good deeds. However, Jesus teaches us the beauty of receiving His righteousness as a gift. It’s not about what we can achieve, but what He has already accomplished for us on the cross. This paradigm shift liberates us from the burden of self-righteousness.

Faith, in its essence, involves gratitude and trust. Instead of begging, pleading, or striving to receive from God, it’s about acknowledging what we already have in Christ. This principle harks back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were already like God, but the serpent tempted them to strive for more. Similarly, we often miss the gift of His righteousness when we strive for something we believe we lack. When God appeared in the garden asking, “Adam where are you?” they were now conscious of their sin and nakedness and were too ashamed to meet God.  This sin-consciousness of shame, guilt, and condemnation is how most feel daily… without even doing anything wrong.  

God is calling us to a whole new existence! 

All Things Added

Walking on water, as Peter did, serves as a profound metaphor for our new life of faith in Christ.  Abiding in HIS righteousness is a supernatural life of living though the means of HIS GRACE: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

In Him, we receive:

  • His strength (Philippians 4:13)
  • His faith (Galatians 2:20)
  • His holiness (1 Peter 1:16)
  • His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • His power gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
  • His sonship (Galatians 3:26)
  • His adoption (Ephesians 1:5)
  • His righteousness (1 Cor 5:21)  

The Great Exchange and Renewing Our Minds 

The action step is clear: put our minds where He is. Colossians 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:10 guide us in this practice. Even in the face of depression, adversity, or suffering, we can align our minds with Christ. It’s a transformation called “the great exchange”.

We begin to see the world through His perspective by focusing on Him. Prayer pointers engaging in the great exchange:

  • I give You my brokenness – You make me whole.
  • I give You my tiredness – You give me strength.
  • I give You my shortfalls – You perfect me
  • I give You my sickness – You are my healing
  • I give You my self-righteousness – You are my righteousness
  • I give You my weakness – You are my source of strength
  • I give you my broken past – You are my new life in Christ.
  • I give you my rejection – You embrace me as you own.
  • I give you my unbelief – You give me your faith.
  • I give you my failures – I can do all things in Christ
  • I give you my turbulence – You give me rest
  • I give you my blindness – I can see with new eyes
  • I give you my impossibilities – nothing is impossible with You
  • I give you my sins – You make me holy
  • I give you my curse – You bless me richly

In conclusion, receiving His righteousness is not just a starting point; it’s the cornerstone of our faith journey. It liberates us from self-reliance and invites us to embrace the gracious gift of Christ’s righteousness. As we fix our minds on Him, we unlock a life of supernatural abundance “in Christ,” where all things are added unto us. May this truth guide us as we navigate the waters of faith with confidence and gratitude.

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Kingdom Toolbox

Kingdom Toolbox

Kingdom Toolbox-https://youtu.be/T8l5vBv0anU

Paul lists various challenges and provides us with the right Kingdom Toolbox to overcome every challenge the world throws at us.

Church Leaders, like Paul, who had been teaching vast amounts of content over a period of time sometimes summarizes and unpacks all the key topics from the kingdom toolbox in a literacy toolbox. This is to emphasize their usefulness, overall relevance and consequent importance! 2 Cor. 6:1-10 is a good example.

In the opening, Paul is as always, reminding us of the foundation of our faith, not works, efforts, and prescriptions to the law, which is considered dead works (Heb. 6:1).

  • The foundation is Salvation, which is received as a free gift, appropriated by faith (John 1:12).

  • God is the initiator who decided the acceptable time.

  • We are the benefactors of His glorious work of righteousness (Mat. 6:33; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:17).

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Then Paul lists various and difficult challenges: tribulations; needs; distresses; stripes; imprisonments; tumults; labours; sleeplessness; fasting. Surely, an intimidating and haunting list of severe life-threatening conditions! His testimony is that God saved him from all these trials – not by coincidental or supernatural means but through a list of Kingdom Toolbox – principals, keys, and approaches to life.

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Cor. 6:1-10). 

  1. “By patience” – 5281. ὑπομονή hupomonḗ; gen. hupomonḗs, fem. noun from hupoménō (G5278), to persevere, remain under. A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances.  Patience is a wonderful gift that has proved its value in ever sphere of life: Financial investments; political science; community development; parenting; and marriage! He who is patient and remains faithful to the original course and vision will eventually see the fruit. Patience is the quality to remain in your position, to remain immovable, to wait. It is not a passive motion, rather and active steady intentional force.  He who is patient remains in faith! 

  2. “By purity” – 54. ἁγνότης hagnótēs; gen. hagnótētos, fem. noun from hagnós (G0053), pure. Purity, sincerity (2 Cor. 6:6). In 2 Cor. 11:3 UBS hagnótēs occurs with haplótēs (G0572), sincerity, simpleness, the opposite of duplicity, whereas the TR has only haplótēs. Haplótēs refers to sincerity, eilikríneia (G1505), as part of the character of a person and not necessarily its influence on others.  Purity speaks of alignment and accuracy.  Jesus’ thoughts, words, and actions lined up perfectly! Some use big words they do not understand, and some lay claim to knowledge which they do not have, and some parade in dresses which they cannot pay for; the life of many a man and many a woman is one colossal lie. We say things which we do not mean, express emotions which we do not feel, we praise when we secretly condemn, we smile when there is a frown on the face of the heart, we give compliments when we are really thinking curses, striving a hundred times a week to make people think we are other than we are.[1]  Truthfulness, and sincerity is the foundation of lasting friendship building trust.  Trust speeds up decisions and brings about actionable productivity.  

  3. “By knowledge” – experiential, practical knowledge, discretion, prudence (2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 2 Pet. 1:5, 6; Sept.: Prov. 13:16). Wisdom that comes from God is practical, seasonable, relevant and sustainable.  It is to simultaneously have a bigger-picture view, while giving attention to the detail of completing a specific task.  The knowledge of God is experiential and is thus tested and proven over time as being the superior approach.  Godly knowledge is also to understand all the diverse viewpoints yet know the best path out towards a communal benefit.  

  4. “By longsuffering” – 3115. μακροθυμία makrothumía; gen. makrothumías, fem. noun from makrothuméō (G3114), to be long-suffering. Forbearance, long-suffering, self-restraint before proceeding to action. The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so (Rom. 2:4; 9:22; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:2; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 6:12; James 5:10; 2 Pet. 3:15; Sept.: Prov. 25:15; Is. 57:15; Jer. 15:15).  Long-suffering is a different Greek word than patience and is best translated as self-restraint.  Long-suffering is part of the Meekness family: power under control, like a racing horse perfectly trained. The Bible also refers to self-control (2 Tim 1:7). 

  5. “By kindness” – 5544. χρηστότης chrēstótēs; gen. chrestótētos, fem. noun from chrēstós (G5543), useful, profitable. Benignity, kindness, usefulness. It often occurs with philanthrōpía (G5363), philanthropy.  Kindness is one of the most powerful Kingdom tools in our toolbox. It supersedes all the angry emotions, because by kindness you harness and subdue anger, aggression, volition, and negative judgements.  We do not get what we want by anger, but we move people’s hearts to open by acts of kindness! No heart of stone can resist the penetrating power of kindness! It is after all, God’s kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

  6. “By the Holy Spirit” – of the mouth or nostrils, a breathing, blast (2 Thess. 2:8, “spirit [breath] of his mouth,” spoken of the destroying power of God; Sept.: Is. 11:4). Of the vital breath (Rev. 11:11, “breath of life” [a.t.]; Sept.: Gen. 6:17; 7:15, 22 [cf. Ps. 33:6]).  The Holy Spirit is Jesus abiding in our lives today! His presence and anointing break the yoke of slavery! He changes the atmosphere! All the attributes of Godliness that originated from encounters with the Holy Spirit bears the best fruit.  We can do nothing without Him! He is our source! 

  7. “By love sincere” – 505. ἀνυπόκριτος anupókritos; gen. anupokrítou, masc.-fem., neut. anupókriton, adj. from the priv. a (G0001), without, and hupokrínomai (G5271), to pretend, simulate. Originally it meant being inexperienced in the art of acting.  Jesus’ love displayed on the Cross is the truest and purest form of love that we can ever know. The love that lays down His life for a friend.  These genuine acts of unselfish love and sharing, moves mountains! 

  8. “By the word of truth” – 225. ἀλήθεια alḗtheia; gen. alētheías, fem. noun from alēthḗs (G0227), true. Truth, reality; the unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with an appearance; the manifested, the veritable essence of matter.  We are being tossed and thrown by some of the biggest waves of blinding, foolish, deception the world has ever seen.   It is our collective revelation of the fullness of Christ, that helps us to remain on course.  Truth is not a philosophy or ideology; it is a person, Jesus Christ! Our articulation of Christ as the truth, the life and the way has never been more vital and urgent as in a time like this.  

  9. “By the power of God” – 1411. δύναμις dúnamis; gen. dunámeōs, fem. noun from dúnamai (G1410), to be able. Power, especially achieving power. All the words derived from the stem dúna- have the meaning of being able, capable – 1 Cor. 2:4. We live in a world where people are moved through what they see.  We can no longer offer a powerless gospel where there is no evident miraculous signs and wonders! The bible is a collection of supernatural divine interventions of an all-powerful loving God! The power of God enables us to do more than what is humanly possible. Like using electric power tools, you can overcome human impossibilities by means of His grace!

  10. By the armor of righteousness – 1343. δικαιοσύνη dikaiosúnē; gen. dikaiosúnēs, fem. noun from díkaios (G1342), just, righteous. Justice, righteousness. It is the essence of tó díkaion, that which is just, or díkaios, of him who is just or righteous. Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 10:4. Righteousness is the divine ability to know and do the right thing, at the right time with the right people — right-wiseness! It is a superior logic, originating from the Just One! Uprightness is one of our most valuable assets in the Kingdom of God.  

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Pet 1:2-3). 

[1] Jefferson, Charles Edward. The Character of Jesus . Walking Through the Word. Kindle Edition. Kingdom Toolbox.