“Seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness and all these things shall be added to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“Seek first the kingdom of God…”
Seeking to set one’s priorities in life based on a perspective of reality governed in accordance with God’s character–love, justice, truth, righteousness, mercy, and peace.
“…and God’s righteousness…”
The sense of ‘being right’ based on God’s character frees us from self-righteousness. God is the only Righteous Judge. This righteousness, based on God’s grace and mercy, liberates us to be gracious and merciful to others. God’s righteousness leads to social justice. God’s righteousness brings people nearer to God and nearer to each other.
“…and all these things will be added to you.”
When our priorities in life are governed by the values of the kingdom of God–love, justice, truth, righteousness, mercy, and peace–then all other concerns in life will be aligned in accordance with what is genuinely right. All our basic rights as human beings and all that are to be made right for the whole creation get harmonized when we all seek God’s kingdom and righteousness.
This harmonized experience of Reality based on God’s reign and God’s righteousness is called Shalom-Salaam.
Shalom is the story of my personal ministry, which is a part of the story of my people, which is a part of the story of humanity.
Shalom is the Story of YHWH. Shalom is the manifestation and character of YHWH’s reign.
