CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Prov 4:18) -- 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 32 of 36
I recall singing as a child, "This little light of mine . . . " It was a noble song for a child, but not for one who has spent a lifetime in Christ Jesus! Our light may begin small, but it certainly does not remain that way. It is the nature of Christ's kingdom to increase! It is written, "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day" (Prov 4:18, NASB). "The light of life" that is possessed in Christ (John 8:12) is NOT one that dissipates, wanes, diminishes, and is finally extinguished.
The glory of Christ is seen more clearly in those who live by faith. Their walk in the Spirit causes the "light of the glory of God" to shine more brightly in them. Our new birth is like the dawning of the day! As we live in the Son, the sun rises higher, illuminating the sky. When the sun begins to set, it gets larger in our view, casting its rays across the horizon, and coloring it with unparalleled beauty! So it is with the righteous! Their life shines brighter and brighter until the full day of spiritual maturity is reached. Then they brighten their environment as they head for a realm for which they have been suited by grace. It is the nature of Christ's kingdom to increase!
GROWING INTO A TEMPLE
While a spiritual increase occurs on the individual level, it also characterizes the entire body of Christ. The objective of salvation is to bring the saints to a point where God can dwell evidently and effectually within them. How appropriately this is affirmed by the Spirit. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Eph 2:19-22).
See the reason for our salvation! Together, we are structured upon the truth declared by the Apostles and Prophets. The shape and extent of this spiritual building are determined by Jesus Christ, the "Cornerstone." In Christ the entire body of believers is fitted together in a growing temple. They have been created in Christ Jesus to fit together, like the stones of the temple of old. The work of that ancient temple involved an incredible amount of men, for it was a noble effort. Solomon appointed 70,000 to carry loads, and 80,000 to quarry stones for the temple. He appointed 3,600 men to supervise this gigantic work (2 Chron 2:2,18). The stones were so precisely fashioned that, when the temple was built, they fit perfectly together. As it is written, "And the house, while it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry, and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built" (1 Kgs 6:7, NASB).
The church of God is superior to Solomon 's temple! It is comprised of "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5, NASB). Each one is fashioned in the quarry of spiritual life in a precise manner. They are fashioned together for a habitation of God! Together they are "growing" – advancing to a place where God Himself can fully dwell within them! This objective will be accomplished in "the world to come." Until that time, we are growing, advancing in the capacity to experience God Himself! That is the nature of Christ's kingdom – to advance to that appointed place.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for deliverance from a static religion, from mediocrity, and from decline.