God’s ultimate plan and purpose is to bless His children. And He has given us His promises and the prophecies of what He intends to do. But He cannot fully and richly bless us in our dirty state, except we are completely cleansed. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” This is salvation.
Salvation comes with conversion and conversion brings cleansing. Those who profess to be saved, but are not living a righteous life must first be cleansed from sin in preparation for the better things God wants to do in their lives. He makes our lives righteous and holy by cleansing and beautifying it.
Unfortunately, many preachers of the gospel are ignorant of the second work of grace. They feel the initial experience of salvation is enough; they forget God’s promises of genuine salvation (total forgiveness, conversion), sanctification (holiness, purity of heart) and the baptism in the Holy Ghost. With these experiences, we will fulfill the totality of God’s will.
Even though God has given us His promises, we must pray to obtain them. “Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.” Believers should seek His face and pray unto Him in order to enjoy His promised blessings. However, God wants His children to give His Kingdom and righteousness a priority in their lives. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
If we are going to receive all that we desire from God, then we must “… seek … first the kingdom of God.” Unfortunately, many people do not know the path that leads to blessings. Solomon neither asked for riches nor wealth. Instead, he asked for “wisdom and knowledge…” to reign over God’s people in a proper and perfect way that will satisfy Him. Because he put God first, the Lord said: “I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee …” Believers should prioritise their relationship with and submission to God.
Those who fail to put God first in all that they do should consider Christ’s parable of the foolish man who failed to prioritise the kingdom of God and make heaven His desire. All he concerned himself with was materialism. “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee….”
The prayer of a person who cares about God and His glory should be: “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Ruth put God first and vowed that, “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Even before Jesus came to this world, she understood the pathway to blessings. She knew if she was going to get the greatest of blessings from the Lord, she must put God first. When the society, a member of the family or church pressurises us to go contrary to God’s will and word, we must resolve “to obey God rather than men.”
Most people only adorn their body and neglect their soul and spirit. But we need to take care of our spirit and soul as well because at death, the body remains in the grave while the spirit and soul go to God. As believers, we must be conscious of this and prioritise the reign of the Most High King.
• Further Reading (King James Version): Ezekiel 36:11,25-27,37; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 6:33; 2 Chronicles 1:7,8-12; Luke 12:15-21; Psalm 119:36,37; Ruth 1:15-18; 4:13-18; Proverbs 23:26; Acts 5:29.
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