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The Kingdom of God in Heaven - A More Abundant Life!

How does the Kingdom of God in Heaven help make life more abundant? The Bible gives us the answer. Jesus instructs us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." The question I ask is why. My faith is deepened when I understand the reason behind this statement. The second part of the verse is that "all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

What are all these things? At the time Jesus made this statement, the discussion was about food, clothing, and shelter. These essential needs were a concern to the average person in Jesus' day.

Verse 25 of Matthew 6 says,

  • "Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"

But God makes available to His believers more than physical "things." All these things include guidance by God, and when God guides us, things just work out better. Remember, God knows all; this is the power we tap into by entering into the Kingdom of God.

Promises of God:
Conditional or Unconditional

As you read the Bible, you will see that God makes many promises. Some promises are conditional, and some are unconditional. What does that mean?

One of the first promises in the Bible after the flood was that God promised to never again destroy man by flooding the earth. This promise has no conditions. No one must do anything to receive this assurance. It applies to both believers and non-believers.

The promise in Matthew 6:33 has a condition. To receive the promise, the believer must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 

This assurance is an excellent promise. God is promising all these things will be added to you. These things are the necessities of life: what you eat, drink, and wear.

The key to entry into the Kingdom of God is seeking God first. Some of the beauties of the Kingdom of Heaven is love, joy, and peace. We can remove the burdens from our shoulders and give them to Jesus. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved (or shaken)."

The Kingdom of God in Heaven

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come; Jesus answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed,the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). It is in your heart, your spirit.

As I began to study the Scriptures about the kingdom of God, I found that God began to work in my heart and my life. As we submit to God's authority and allow Him to reign in our hearts, He will reveal His plans to us.

As we study and meditate on the Word of God, we tap into the power of God's kingdom. God's Word is filled with wisdom and knowledge that can change our lives.

Meditating on the Word of God fills our minds and hearts with truth. God's truth aligns us with God's will and purpose. As we practice doing God's Word, we start to align our thoughts and actions with God's will. A transformation takes place in our lives. Transformation is the power of God working in those seeking the kingdom of God in heaven.

Power of Abiding in the Kingdom

Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18:

  • "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name    they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Many people—including some pastors—will try to convince you that these powers were in effect only during Jesus' time and shortly thereafter. They argue that these words do not apply to us today.

Either the Word of God is true or not. Did it only apply during the time of the apostles, or is it still true and active today? God does not change, nor does the power of His word.

Why would they say these things? It is because they have never experienced God working miraculously in their lives. Our beliefs must align with God's Word. Our words must align with the Word of God. When you are in agreement with God's Word and in harmony with God, miracles happen.

Unbelief Prevents Miracles

We must trust God and believe He works miracles for His wonders to happen. Unbelief shuts off the power of miracles.

Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth. The hometown people were happy to see Him and to hear Him teach in the synagogue. But He performed very few miracles. It was because of their unbelief. "He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith" (Mark 6:5-6).

When Jesus returned to Nazareth, He had not changed; the people were unwilling to believe. It is the same today; Jesus has not changed; the people's unbelief prevents God's mighty works.

Lack of Knowledge

The lack of knowledge can lead to unbelief. Our faith dwindles by not immersing ourselves in the Word of God and not aligning with God. Our faith and belief grow by hearing the Word of God. The more of God's Word we have in our hearts, the stronger our belief.

When the disciples could not cast out the demon from the little boy, Jesus identified their failure as unbelief.

It isn't God or God's Word that changes.

When a person believes a thing isn't possible, then it isn't for that person. For the person who believes it is possible, it is possible. Earlier, we discussed God's promises with conditions. Having faith and not doubting is a condition for receiving.

Knowledge develops belief, and belief is faith in action.

Understanding the Kingdom of God in Heaven involves knowing the kingdom is within you. By seeking the kingdom, you will find it. It is within. Jesus assured His listeners in Luke 17:21 that the Kingdom does not come with observation; rather, the Kingdom of God is within you.