Words To Remember - "Factors of the Kingdom"

Continuing in our key verse, during this year and season of Order, Matthew 6:33---"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  (NRSV).

We last posted "The Kingdom Factor", in which we looked at how the kingdom of God (rule, reign, and will of God), and particularly what we do or do not do with the kingdom of God, has an influence on the quality and success of our lives.  And as I said before, when I say quality and success, I am not speaking of money, fame, or fortune, but rather the state of our souls.  For Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  So, the real issue in the success of lives is the success of our souls; and this success is only achieved in the kingdom of God being placed first in our lives.

Now that we have established that the kingdom of God is a factor in the quality and success of our lives, we now look at factors that teach us on how we are to operate in the kingdom so that we can ultimately have this quality life; thus the title "Factors of the Kingdom."

The first factor of the kingdom is the Spirit of God.  We look at Zechariah 4:6, wherein the prophet said, "He said to me, 'This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:  Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.'"  In order for us to strive first for the kingdom of God, and consequently see quality and success in our lives, we are to rely and depend upon the power of the Spirit of God.  No matter what opposition (whether internal or external) we may be facing that would try to keep us from striving first for the kingdom of God, we must remember that God is on our side, and that He, by His Spirit, will level every mountain that will try to keep us from fulfilling His will for our lives.

The second factor of the kingdom is the Word of God.  We look at John 6:63, wherein Jesus said, "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."  When we are relying and depending upon the Spirit of God, then we will be led to walk and live by the Word of God.  For the Spirit of God will not lead us to do anything that is contrary to the written Word of God.  We as believers must be rooted and grounded in the Word of God so that we, with all our spirituality, will not become goofy in the house of God.  Therefore the Word of God is a key factor in operating properly in the kingdom, and thus seeing true quality and success in our lives.  "Factors of the Kingdom."