We end chapter 6 with the paragraph topic: (We must have trust in God).
Christ started this chapter by telling us that we should be pure in our intentions. He told us that we should not do our good before men lest we loose our reward in heaven. He continued by telling us that we should pray in secret so that our heavenly father will see us in secret and reward us because we do not do our good deeds before men but before God. He taught us how we should give alms. He told us how to pray and gave us an outline of a prayer. Then he told us about fasting in secret before our father and not before men. He gave us examples of things to consider when anxiety comes upon us, the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.
All of this comes to the closing of this chapter where Christ further concludes that we should not be anxious about anything because our heavenly father already knows what we need. So, why should we worry him and create stressful situations for ourselves, if he already knows what we need. Our anxiety will not cause one hair on our heads to grow. Our worrying will not cause us to gain one cubits in stature. Our stress will not change one thing in our lives. Our fear will cause us to get sick, it will put our bodies in a physical condition conducive to risk that could lead to the breakdown of normal functions and lead to corruption of our health. Our stress may lead to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, overeating, loss of energy, lack of proper sleep, and overall poor health. Yet we continue to follow the road of the world and allow all of these conditions to affect us when all we have to do is trust in God.
This may be easy to say but here it is in black and white, given to us some 2000 years ago by the spokesperson of God himself, Christ. He tells us, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be given you besides." God loves us. He is our father and he wants the best for us. But we must first seek what is of the spiritual realm and that of the physical realm will be provided to us. For that of the spiritual realm is of greater value and of eternal life than that of the physical realm which is of lesser value and of death. Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and his justice. And when you find the kingdom you will know that the physical realm is of no value. You will see that your joy and your peace comes from God and the things that you desire today you will no longer need. The gadgets and shinny baubles that gave you passion today will only be dirt compared to the everlasting knowledge in Christ Jesus.
The knowledge of Christ sustains us. The knowledge of Christ feeds us. he knowledge of Christ clothes us. The knowledge of Christ puts a roof over our heads and protects us. The knowledge of Christ provides for us and gives us the resources we need to do his will. For the knowledge of Christ is God. It is God's will that we do and not ours when we have his knowledge. Nothing else matters. Christ then becomes our employer. Christ then gives us a paycheck. Christ then opens doors to opportunities. Christ then promotes us to positions where we shine our lights that bring others out of the darkness and into the light. For they see us and the works that we do to the glory of God.
Be not anxious. For tomorrow has anxieties of its own. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. For if we are anxious about the needs of tomorrow, what will happen when we are sufficient for today. What will we become when our food is provided for today. What will we think about when all of our bills are paid up for today. What will we do to supply our minds when we do not worry about providing for ourselves for tomorrow. We become complacent. We seek pleasure. We seek lust. We seek fun and challenge. We seek thrills. We then open ourselves to all of the inclinations of the mind that give way to the carnal suggestions from our passions and those that come from the devil.
Be prepared. Seek the kingdom of God first and all these other things will be given to you.
Christ started this chapter by telling us that we should be pure in our intentions. He told us that we should not do our good before men lest we loose our reward in heaven. He continued by telling us that we should pray in secret so that our heavenly father will see us in secret and reward us because we do not do our good deeds before men but before God. He taught us how we should give alms. He told us how to pray and gave us an outline of a prayer. Then he told us about fasting in secret before our father and not before men. He gave us examples of things to consider when anxiety comes upon us, the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.
All of this comes to the closing of this chapter where Christ further concludes that we should not be anxious about anything because our heavenly father already knows what we need. So, why should we worry him and create stressful situations for ourselves, if he already knows what we need. Our anxiety will not cause one hair on our heads to grow. Our worrying will not cause us to gain one cubits in stature. Our stress will not change one thing in our lives. Our fear will cause us to get sick, it will put our bodies in a physical condition conducive to risk that could lead to the breakdown of normal functions and lead to corruption of our health. Our stress may lead to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, overeating, loss of energy, lack of proper sleep, and overall poor health. Yet we continue to follow the road of the world and allow all of these conditions to affect us when all we have to do is trust in God.
This may be easy to say but here it is in black and white, given to us some 2000 years ago by the spokesperson of God himself, Christ. He tells us, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be given you besides." God loves us. He is our father and he wants the best for us. But we must first seek what is of the spiritual realm and that of the physical realm will be provided to us. For that of the spiritual realm is of greater value and of eternal life than that of the physical realm which is of lesser value and of death. Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and his justice. And when you find the kingdom you will know that the physical realm is of no value. You will see that your joy and your peace comes from God and the things that you desire today you will no longer need. The gadgets and shinny baubles that gave you passion today will only be dirt compared to the everlasting knowledge in Christ Jesus.
The knowledge of Christ sustains us. The knowledge of Christ feeds us. he knowledge of Christ clothes us. The knowledge of Christ puts a roof over our heads and protects us. The knowledge of Christ provides for us and gives us the resources we need to do his will. For the knowledge of Christ is God. It is God's will that we do and not ours when we have his knowledge. Nothing else matters. Christ then becomes our employer. Christ then gives us a paycheck. Christ then opens doors to opportunities. Christ then promotes us to positions where we shine our lights that bring others out of the darkness and into the light. For they see us and the works that we do to the glory of God.
Be not anxious. For tomorrow has anxieties of its own. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. For if we are anxious about the needs of tomorrow, what will happen when we are sufficient for today. What will we become when our food is provided for today. What will we think about when all of our bills are paid up for today. What will we do to supply our minds when we do not worry about providing for ourselves for tomorrow. We become complacent. We seek pleasure. We seek lust. We seek fun and challenge. We seek thrills. We then open ourselves to all of the inclinations of the mind that give way to the carnal suggestions from our passions and those that come from the devil.
Be prepared. Seek the kingdom of God first and all these other things will be given to you.
