What have we been given?





[Heb. 12:28] ' Wherefore, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may serve God accepably with reverence and godly fear.'

When, in accordance with the divine promise, this cosmic convulsion takes place---the whole material universe will be shaken to pieces, and the only things to survive will be those that are unshakable. To this unshakeable order, however, belongs the kingdom which believers in Christ share with Him---a Kingdom, because their great high priest is a royal priest.

How blessed, being 'new creatures in Christ,' to be a part of that kingdom that cannot be shaken. We who are Christians, pertain to a kingdom that is permanent and unchanging. The meaning is, that the kingdom of the Redeemer is never to pass away. It has now endured two thousand years in midst all the revolutions on earth, and in spite of all the attempts which have been made to destroy it ; and it is now as vigorous and stable as it ever was.

But in a kingdom like this there is the assurance that the efforts which we make to do good will have a permanent influence on mankind, and will bless future ages ; and that the reward is certain and eternal.

There in the thing that cannot be shaken : the kingdom of God---that spiritual world in which His will is done and His love revealed---that kingdom we receive by faith into our hearts. The kingdom of God is within you. And the more our faith knows and owns, amid the things that are shaken and shall not remain, the more unmoveable the kingdom will itself become firm and steadfast,and enable us to stand unshaken and immovable too.

Christ is the King, the gospel is His law, all believers are His subjects, the Holy Spirit is its administrater, and all the divine treasures of grace and mercy are its revenue. Believers receive this kingdom ; they have it by gift, grant, or donation from God their Father ; 'Fear not, little flock,' said Christ, 'it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom' ; 'for the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.'

The means whereby we come to enjoy this kingdom, is in the word recieving, which implies that we have it not of ourselves ; we have it of another. The other is God, so that it is not of man's self to be of the kingdom of God, or to have it ; therefore it is said to be ' prepaired ' for us, Matt. 25:34 ; and we are said to be ' chosen heirs of this kingdom,' as James 2:5 ; yes, to be ' called ' there, as 1 Thess. 2:12 ; and translated into it, Col. 1:13.

'Let us be thankful,' he says, 'that the kingdom which we recieve is unshakable ; and in the spirit of thankfulness let us offer acceptable worship to God.' To the grace of God the proper responce is a grateful heart, and the words and actions that flow from a grateful heart are the sacrifices in which God takes delight

In Christ, timothy.

Maranatha