SEEK FIRST

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) – [25] “Therefore I tell you, do not WORRY about your life… [33] …But SEEK FIRST his kingdom and his RIGHTEOUSNESS and all these things will be given to you as well.

Winning Against Worry

-Seek His Face

-Seek His Kingdom

-Seek His Righteousness

Righteousness (dikaiosune) means integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness; correctness in thinking, feeling, and acting: (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1. Righteousness is from God.

2. Righteousness is a gift.

3. Righteousness is by faith.

4. Righteousness must be pursued.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV) – [22] Flee the evil desires of youth, and PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

5. Righteousness is imputed.

“The word ‘imputation,’ according to the Scriptural usage, denotes an attributing of something to a person, or a charging of one with anything, or a setting of something to one’s account.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

Philemon 18 (NIV) – [18] If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

God accounts or transfers the righteousness of Christ to those who trust in Him. We do not become righteous because of our inherent goodness; God sees us as righteous because of our identification by faith with His Son. (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

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

6. Righteousness is sown and reaped.

Hosea 10:12-13 (NIV) – [12] Sow for yourselves RIGHTEOUSNESS, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers RIGHTEOUSNESS on you. [13] But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors.

Proverbs 11:18 (NIV) – [18] The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows RIGHTEOUSNESS reaps a sure reward.

7. Righteousness results in peace.

James 3:18 (NIV) – [18] Peacemakers who sow in PEACE raise a harvest of RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Isaiah 32:17 (NIV) – [17] The fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS will be PEACE; the effect of RIGHTEOUSNESS will be quietness and confidence forever.

8. Righteousness will be rewarded.

1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV) – [23] The LORD REWARDS every man for his RIGHTEOUSNESS and faithfulness.

Psalms 18:24 (NIV) – [24] The LORD has REWARDED me according to my RIGHTEOUSNESS, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.