CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM We have not been called into a mythical kingdom! Christ reigns over a very real domain, with very real benefits and experiences. For this reason, believers must avoid empty philosophical notions of the kingdom of God. This is a kingdom we "receive" in Christ. As it is written, "Wherefore WE RECEIVING A KINGDOM which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Heb 12:28). It is imperative that believers have an accurate perception of that kingdom. Divine benefits come by means of perception or discernment. In the language of Scripture, "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9). Without this, participation, at the very best, is extremely limited. When it comes to your salvation, unintelligibility is your enemy! -- Tomorrow:
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this!" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Devotion 28 of 36
In this series, we are addressing the increasing nature of Christ's Kingdom. It is essential to understand this to be a very real kingdom one in which we presently participate. There are things to be comprehended, relationships to be experienced, and promises to be possessed!
TRANSFERRED INTO THE KINGDOM
From this perspective, salvation involves participation in Christ's Kingdom. As it is written, "For He (God the Father) delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son" (Col 1:13, NASB). We have been placed in the care of Jesus, the appointed "Shepherd and Bishop of our souls" (1 Pet 2:25). This Kingdom is contrasted with "the domain of darkness." It is one of illumination, while Satan presides over a domain of ignorance and unfamiliarity. Because it is an INCREASING Kingdom, growth in insight and understanding is experienced by all of its constituents.
CHARACTERIZED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Kingdom into which we have been translated is characterized by righteousness absolute uprightness and integrity. The Father speaks of the Kingdom of His Son in this manner: "But of the Son He says, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom'" (Heb 1:8 NASB). This passage refers to Psalm 45:6, which declares the eternal and uninterrupted association of God's kingdom with uprightness. The passage in Hebrews confirms that kingdom is being administered by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherever righteousness (both imputed and practical) is missing, Christ's reign has been rejected! The "unrighteous" can have no part in this kingdom (1 Cor 6:9)! Men may tolerate ungodlike people in their institutions, but they are not allowed in the kingdom of our God! To many, this may be considered narrow, and even bigoted. However, their opinion is of no value. The scepter of Christ's kingdom is one of righteousness. That is the means by which it is measured, and the standard to which the constituents of the kingdom are called. The declaration has been made by the Father to the Son. No contrary view can possibly stand!
The kingdom of Christ is one of impeccable uprightness and godliness. From beginning to end, it is characterized by the Divine nature. The increase of this kingdom is righteous! Its advances are holy! There is no chicanery in this kingdom! The life of God fills it, and the spirit of Christ dominates it! There is no participation in this kingdom without this scepter the scepter of righteousness being extended to the individual!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the uprightness and holiness that characterizes the kingdom into which You have translated me.