A Kingdom That Is Growing!

A Kingdom That Is Growing!

In Heb. 12:27-28, we read about the kingdom that cannot be shaken. The apostle writes: “Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

This kingdom that we are receiving, which cannot be shaken, is the divine nature that grows forth: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. On our journey on the way toward heaven, this kingdom slowly begins to grow to the extent that God’s word has taken effect in each and every one of us. The more of God’s word that is allowed to work on me, making me humble and attentive to the voice of the Spirit, the greater the growth of this kingdom will be. Those who are partaking in this development will also receive an anointing over their life and ministry, as the virtues come forth more and more. This is also evident in how especially good it is to have fellowship with such wholehearted disciples who have the kingdom of God growing within them.

Johan O. Smith writes in his song, WotL 361: “Noble thoughts spread forth their leaves, and godly nature now does abound. This life-force through barriers cleaves, for all must rise to Zion’s ground.” Everything that is noble is of the divine, and comes forth through patient faithfulness to God’s word day after day and year after year. Then we experience that God’s nature breaks through and abounds. The kingdom that is within us, the eternal word that has been of help to us, cannot be hidden. This kingdom will grow greater and greater until our last day on earth. Everything else is shaken and has no right to exist in God’s kingdom. When I experience things that shake me, I must seek God for help. In such situations, it is my flesh, my corrupted self-will, that is shaken. It is not the divine kingdom that is of God that is shaken, but everything else that will not last.

At the end of Heb. 12:28 it says, “Let us therefore be thankful and thereby serve God with reverence and godly fear.” [Norw.] In verse 29 it says, “For our God is a consuming fire.” We are exhorted to be thankful and to serve God with reverence and godly fear. We have a tremendous glory in store with a kingdom within us that cannot be shaken and that grows greater and greater to His good pleasure. There is every reason to serve God with all our heart and all that is within us, so that we fight for our calling and election.

A fight of faith is needed to make this kingdom grow within us unto God’s glory and blessing. Then it is fitting to serve Him wholeheartedly with reverence and godly fear, so that we may be preserved in His love and goodness. God is a consuming fire over everything that does not belong in His kingdom. So seriousness and battle are required in order for godly nature to break through and abound. Then my flesh, which will constantly be shaken, will not survive, but instead this divine kingdom within us will grow.

Let us join in building this kingdom unto God’s glory, which will never be shaken for all eternity!