_Seek the kingdom of_ God _and his righteousness_. Righteousness is the fruit of God’s reigning in the heart. And what is righteousness but love? The love of God and of all mankind, flowing from faith in _Jesus Christ_, and producing humbleness of mind, meekness, gentleness, long-suffering, patience, deadness to the world; and every right disposition of heart, toward God and toward man. And by these it produces all holy actions, whatsoever are lovely or of good report; whatsoever works of faith and labour of love are acceptable to God and profitable to man.
_His righteousness_: this is all _his_ righteousness still: it is his own free gift to us, for the sake of _Jesus Christ_ the righteous, through whom alone it is purchased for us: and it is his _work_: it is he alone that worketh it in us, by the inspiration of the holy Spirit.
21. Perhaps the well observing this may give light to some other scriptures, which we have not always so clearly understood. St. _Paul_, speaking in his epistle to the _Romans_, concerning the unbelieving _Jews_, saith, _They being ignorant of_ God’s _righteousness, and, going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of_ God. I believe this may be one sense of the words. They were _ignorant of_ God’s _righteousness_, not only of the righteousness of _Christ_, imputed to every believer, whereby all his sins are blotted out, and he is reconciled to the favour of God: but (which seems here to be more immediately understood) they were ignorant of that inward righteousness, of that holiness of heart, which is with the utmost propriety termed God’s _righteousness_, as being both his own free gift through _Christ_, and his own work, by his almighty Spirit. And because they were ignorant of this, they _went about to establish their own righteousness_. They laboured to establish that outside righteousness, which might very properly be termed _their own_. For neither was it wrought by the Spirit of God, nor was it owned or accepted of him. They might work this themselves, by their own natural strength: and when they had done, it was a stink in his nostrils. And yet trusting in this, they would _not submit themselves unto the righteousness of_ God. Yea, they hardened themselves against that faith, whereby alone it was possible to attain it. _For_ Christ _is the end of the law, for righteousness to every one that believeth. Christ_, when he said, _It is finished_, put an end to that law, to the law of external rites and ceremonies, that he might _bring in a better righteousness_, through his blood, by that one oblation of himself once offered, even the image of God, into the inmost soul of _every one that believeth_.
22. Nearly related to these are those words of the apostle, in his epistle to the _Philippians. I count all things but dung that I may win_ Christ, an entrance into his everlasting kingdom, _and be found in him_, believing in him, _not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of_ Christ, _the righteousness which is of_ God _by faith――Not having my own righteousness which is of the law_; a barely external righteousness, the outside religion I formerly had, when I hoped to be accepted of God, because I was, _touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless――But that which is through the faith of_ Christ, _the righteousness which is of_ God _by faith_: that holiness of heart, that renewal of the soul, in all its desires, tempers and affections _which is of_ God: it is the work of God and not of man, _by faith_; through the faith of _Christ_, through the revelation of _Jesus Christ_ in us, and by faith in his blood; whereby alone we obtain the remission of our sins, and an inheritance among those that are sanctified.
23. _Seek ye first_ this _kingdom of_ God in your hearts, this _righteousness_, which is the gift and work of God, the image of God renewed in your souls: _And all these things shall_ be added unto you: all things needful for the body; such a measure of all, as God sees most for the advancement of his kingdom. These _shall be added_, they shall be thrown in, over and above. In seeking the peace and love of God, you shall not only find what you more immediately seek even the kingdom that cannot be moved; but also what you seek not, not at all for its own sake, but only in reference to the other. You shall find in your way to the kingdom all outward things, so far as they are expedient for you: this care God hath taken upon himself: cast you all your care upon him. He knoweth your wants; and whatsoever is lacking, he will not fail to supply.