THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE The nature of the Kingdom Jesus is governing is to grow, or increase. That is what Isaiah prophesied: "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" (Isa 9:7). That is also how Daniel was given to see it: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever" (Dan 2:44). -- Tomorrow:
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:15-18, KJV)
Devotion 30 of 33
This is how the Lord Jesus represented the Kingdom: "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Luke 13:21). And again, "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof" (Matt 13:31-32).
The Apostolic doctrine also spoke of this increase: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in ALL things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of EVERY part, maketh INCREASE of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph 4:16). And again, "And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, INCREASETH WITH THE INCREASE OF GOD" (Col 2:19). And again, "But GROW in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Pet 3:18).
Spiritual growth is depicted as shining "MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day" (Prov 4:18). The life of the believer is said to be "from faith to faith" (Rom 1:17), pressing toward the mark (Phil 3:14), and apprehending that for which we have been apprehended (Phil 3:12). The "more and more" concept is woven throughout Apostolic teaching (Phil 1:9; 1 Thess 4:1,10). There is also the "much more" view (Rom 5:9,10,15,17,20; Phil 2:12). And who can forget the New Covenant accent on abounding and abundance (Rom 15:13; 2 Cor 8:7; Phil 1:9,26; 2 Pet 1:8; 1 Cor 15:58; Col 2:7)?
Where is there the slightest hint of any degree of acceptance of mediocrity, stagnancy, averageness, fruitlessness, or perpetual spiritual childhood? Those in Christ are admonished to advance from childhood to maturity (1 Cor 14:20). They are exhorted to seek the things that are above, and to set their affection upon them (Col 3:1-2).
The mode of spiritual life is always upward, onward, and farther! That is, there is no provision made for anything else! God has no grace for the slothful, the indolent, the idle, and the lukewarm! There is no room reserved for those who are content to remain at a distance from the Lord – none at all! Everything about salvation – every single aspect of it – is calculated to produce growth, advance, and spiritual maturity.
Our text is showing us HOW this is accomplished. It is the result of focusing on "the glory of the Lord." That glory permeates the heart like the glory of God on Sinai affected the skin of Moses' face. It changes the beholder to be like the One he is beholding! Let it be clear, there is no other kind of salvation that comes from God. All other purported salvations are spurious! They present "another Jesus" contained in "another gospel."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for providing the means for me to make advancement in Christ Jesus.