Be Christ-Minded, Not Need-Minded

Seek the King to find the Kingdom.

In John 6, the crowd didn't follow Jesus because He was the Bread of Life that could satisfy their spiritual hunger.  They followed Chirst in order to get their stomachs full.  Do you seek Christ for Who He is or just for what He can do for you when you have a need?

As we seek Him first to fill our spiritual hunger for intimate fellowship, Christ will meet our other needs.  All that we need is in Jesus.

Don't be a crisis Christian, someone who only turns to Him when a crisis erupts or a need presents itself.  While God does indeed use needs to draw people to seek Him and to go deeper with Him, that shouldn't be the only time we come to God.

The Lord wants us to always desperately need Him; to earnestly seek Him daily and consistently.  He wants us to be in relationship with Him and let Him be our only Source.  As we seek Him for who He is, looking first to Him, the other things we need will be added.  Don't get it backwards, because if you do, you will be gone the moment your need is met- and that's not a real relationship.  That's just using Him.  Besides, our needs can be met and we can still be dissatisfied.  After all, look at the many rich, famous, powerful people who are miserable.

To be Christ-minded, we must seek Him for Himself, and not only for what He can do for us.  When we pursue Him, He delights in meeting our needs.  When we seek His face and not His hand, all our needs are met, including the greatest need, which is the need for Jesus Himself.

The more we feed on Jesus's Word, and take in His flesh and blood, the more we will be partaking of what Jesus provided at the cross.  His flesh and blood speaks of eternal life.  Life is in the blood and Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life.  When we seek Him, we get every need met- both for this life and the life to come.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 (The Passion Translation- TPT):

So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.

As we seek the King, we will find the Kingdom.  His Kingdom is the King's domain, where righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit are plentiful (Romans 14:17).  As we remain Christ-minded rather than need-minded, we will see God supplying all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Colossians 3:1-2 (KJV) says:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

The J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) says:

If you are then “risen” with Christ, reach out for the highest gifts of Heaven, where your master reigns in power. Give your heart to the heavenly things, not to the passing things of earth.

That's what it means to be Christ-minded.  Seek and reach for the things of God and Heaven, not for the temporary things of earth.  When your affections are placed on Jesus, everything else falls into place.