Living a worry-free life

For man to receive God’s promise, he must seek first God’s kingdom and keep His commands. Then, and only then, will life truly be worry-free.

By DEXTER T. MANGLICMOT

IN THIS AGE of computers and cellular phones, online shopping and banking, fast trains, fast cars and fast foods, we are expecting a convenient and worry-free life. But this just isn’t the case. Technological advances aimed at making life healthier, happier, and longer have actually had some detrimental effects and certainly have not been the end-all of man’s worries in this life.

Hi-tech crime is on the rise. And with a new breed of criminals committing crimes throughout the global village, computer users need to be extremely vigilant so as not to fall victims. Indeed, the number of households using the computer and the internet has greatly increased. With internet access at home, parents now worry about online pornography and violence seeping into the lives and minds of their children through the new medium.

Psychologist Kimberly S. Young of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, attests in her study of the behavior of heavy online users that the internet itself can cause problems instead of creating solutions: “… The use of the internet can definitely disrupt one’s academic, social, financial and occupational life the same way other well-documented addictions like pathological gambling, eating disorder and alcoholism can” (apa.org).

Along with this is a deeper issue that must be addressed, that is, the degradation of man’s spirituality and his severed relationship with God. As more people consume their time exploring new technologies, the frightening reality is that many have now forgotten God. Instead of turning to Him, many attempt to solve everyday problems through the technology of this age.

In looking for solutions to problems, the Lord Jesus Christ gives this advice:

“This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes?

“Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?” (Matt. 6:25, 27 Good News Bible)

The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that worrying neither solves our problems nor prolongs our life. Likewise, people who use up all their time pursuing the so-called finer things in life are setting wrong priorities “because wealth and honor don’t last forever” (Prov. 27:24 Contemporary English Version), and they cannot save people from God’s punishment:

“Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.” (Zeph. 1:18 New International Version)

This is why i tell you:
do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes?

Matthew 6:35

Good News Bible

Seek first the kingdom of God

Instead of constantly being preoccupied with the pursuit of material wealth, Jesus admonishes us to be concerned with more important matters:

“Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.” (Matt. 6:33 GNB)

The key to success in this life, then, is to seek first the kingdom of God and do the things He requires of us. Apostle Paul explained concerning the kingdom of God:

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12-14 New King James Version)

The kingdom being referred to is the kingdom of the Son of God in whom man has redemption through Christ’s blood. According to the Scriptures, that which Christ redeemed by His blood is the Church Of Christ:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)

Thus, the kingdom that one must seek first is the Church Of Christ since it is the Church that Christ redeemed from sin. And having been redeemed from sin, members of the Church are considered worthy to serve God:

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14 NKJV)

The Lord promised those who followed His command searched for and entered the kingdom or the Church Of Christ that “all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33 NKJV).

Only the first step
Joining the Church, though, is only the first step in receiving God’s blessing. Obedience to His will is as much an integral part of life’s success:

“The holy God of Israel, the Lord who saves you, says: ‘I am the Lord your God, the one who wants to teach you for your own good and direct you in the way you should go.
“If only you had listened to my commands! Then blessings would have flowed for you like a stream that never goes dry. Victory would have come to you like the waves that roll on the shore.’” (Isa. 48:17-18 GNB)

We experience disappointments because of our disobedience to God. Submission to His will is the guarantee in receiving His blessing, and one of the commands that should be followed is to abandon evil works:

“Put away evil and wrong from your home. Then face the world again, firm and courageous. Then all your troubles will fade from your memory, like floods that are past and remembered no more.” (Job 11:14-16 GNB)

Hence, the solutions to all the problems in this life lies not in the technology of this age, but in following the commands of God. Man’s inventions and the vast knowledge he has acquired can never guarantee a life free of trouble. It is only God who can give this to man. This is the reason why God prepared the Holy City, a place that is worry-free because:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:1, 4 NKJV)

God’s promise is that “all your troubles will fade from your memory.” But for man to receive this, he must seek first God’s kingdom by joining the Church Of Christ and keep His commands. Then, and only then, will life truly be worry-free.

This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine.

For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph