CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM The perception that Christ's kingdom is an increasing one has a powerful impact upon the human spirit. If Christ's kingdom is an increasing one, and expansion and growth is its nature, our responsibility is clear! As individuals, and as fellowships, we are to make progress toward heaven. Conformity to the Divine image is our appointed destiny. Heaven must become clearer, our understanding of God increase, and heavenly mindedness become more prominent. As this occurs on the individual level, Divine influence will become more apparent in society, thereby bringing glory to God. -- 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 36 of 36
GOD CAUSES INCREASE
Care must be taken not to rely upon human resources to achieve spiritual growth. Divine influence is required for the desired end – spiritual increase. How poignantly this is declared by the Spirit. "And the Lord MAKE YOU to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (1 Thess 3:12, KJV). The strength of this statement is confirmed in all major translations of Scripture. " . . . CAUSE YOU to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men" (NASB). " . . . MAKE your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else" (NIV). " . . . MAKE you increase and abound in love for one another and for all" (NRSV). The word "make," or "cause," comes from a word meaning "to do, make or be more, i.e. increase . . . to superabound: abound, abundant, make to increase, have over." The term "abound" comes from a word meaning "to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also . . . to cause to superabound or excel:--(make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above)."
Who but God can cause such superabundance to break forth in the saints? This is why the Apostle prays for this to be experienced by the Thessalonians. It is the nature of Christ's kingdom! It is always appropriate to recall the words of the unusually active Apostle, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (1 Cor 3:6,7, KJV). It is the nature of Christ's kingdom to increase!
EXHORTATIONS ARE IN ORDER
While it is true that God CAUSES increase, He does so through appointed means. One of those means is exhortation. The people of God are encouraged to throw themselves into the process of spiritual growth. Here is an example of an earnest plea. "And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more" (1 Thess 4:10, KJV).
The nature of this exhortation is challenging. The Spirit does not settle for "some" growth, but for "more and more." The NASB puts it this way, "excel still more." In these words you sense the utter foolishness of seeking identity with Christ apart from advancement in Him. I cannot help but observe the extreme rarity of this posture in the nominal church.
A MATTER OF PLEASING THE LORD
What does it take to "please the Lord?" In fact, is that an appropriate question? Perhaps in part, but there is a wider perspective that must be sought. Pleasing the Lord involves infinitely more than attaining to a certain level of human conduct. It is more than achieving discipline in personal life, or having the proper church organization. When we speak of "pleasing" the Lord, we are addressing more than achieving a goal. Worthiness is involved here, as well as a manner of life.
Here is a remarkable admonition. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10, KJV). Think about the magnitude of this word! "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord" (NASB). "Live a life worthy of the Lord" (NIV). "Lead a life worthy of the Lord" (RSV). You must recognize how this conflicts with much of the teaching of our day! Still, the legalist will seize upon this admonition to enforce the view that our works are what makes us worthy!
Notice, the point is to walk in A MANNER that is thoroughly pleasing to the Lord. " . . . to please Him in all respects" (NASB). " . . . please Him in every way" (NIV). " . . . fully pleasing to Him" (NRSV). And how is it possible to please the Lord in "every way?" The answer is found in the matter of increase! " . . . bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (NASB).
How can you hope to be "fruitful in every good work?" Is there a secret procedure? A certain discipline? Indeed, this is not how fruitfulness is realized! The answer is found in the good knowledge of God! True increase is found in the expansion of our understanding of God Himself. This is what delights the Lord (Jer 9:23-24). He desires the knowledge of Himself above burnt offerings and sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Here is the specific area in which Christ's kingdom grows and increases. The saved come into a deeper acquaintance with and fellowship of Deity. That, and that alone, is what makes them spiritually productive! It is the nature of Christ's kingdom to increase – to grow – to expand. The admonition is for you to become involved in this process. Your growth will glorify God, and guarantee a place with Jesus in glory! Now, be up and increasing for the glory of the Lord!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for deliverance from static religion.