This chapter is a summary of the events of the first century concerning the rule of Christ. His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36) and is spiritual in nature. To seek His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33) is not referring to a commitment to making one’s attendance to the church a priority above all else. Instead, Jesus is referring to submitting to Him and placing His rule in the hearts of His people so that His will takes precedence over all else. It is this conclusion that Peter preached in his sermon on the day of Pentecost when he concludes that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Those who responded to the message asked what they should do and Peter told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Those who had committed to his rule would submit in humble obedience to His will. It is altogether foolish to choose our own path in what we will do and then attribute our actions to the submission of His will. This is not a new problem. Saul was given specific instructions when conquering the Amalekites. He did not carry out God’s will but took liberties and acted without permission. When he returned, he said to Samuel, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (1 Sam. 15:13). Even after Samuel pointed out his error, he still insisted in verse twenty, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord.” It is true that he did some of what he was told. He did go on the mission to fight Amalek and returned victoriously, but he had not won the victory of faith. He brought back the king and select animals for their sacrifices. God had told him to utterly destroy them and specifically tells him not to spare any “man, woman, child and infant, ox, sheep, camel, or donkey” (1 Sam. 15:3). The human race has been doing this from the beginning and when giving an account to God, some say, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name’ (Matt. 7:22)? Jesus calls them “workers of iniquity.” In other words, they carried out their own will and initiative instead of the will of the father (Matthew 7:21). The word “iniquity” means literally, “without law.” They were not about their Father’s business and were not focused on carrying out the will of King Jesus. They did it their own way and then claim to have done God’s will. Like Saul’s actions, similar reactions to God’s instructions will bring the words of Jesus every time. They are, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity.” Samuel calls it “rebellion” and “presumption” (1 Sam. 15:23, ESV) and assesses both as a rejection of God and His word.
Entering the kingdom of Christ and seeking that kingdom first consists of placing the will of Christ above all others, including oneself. Loving Him, we will seek to please Him and follow His instructions. We err when we have a good idea of our own to throw into the instructions. Be sure that your ideas are authorized methods of carrying out the will of Christ, rather than the execution of your own wisdom, initiative, and will. The reckoning of our actions is coming soon. As sad as it was for Saul to hear Samuel tell him that God has rejected him from being king, a much sadder day will be for us to hear, “Depart from me” and be eternally separated from God.