FRUIT OF THE KINGDOM 

The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. - Matthew 21:43

Peter describes the people of God as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  Paul clarifies: that there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Jesus explains: I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.

 The kingdom of God is not a natural kingdom.  It does not come by observation, and cannot be inherited by flesh and blood.  It is not of this world.  It comes not by natural birth, but rather by spiritual birth.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  This holy nation is a new creation.  We who abide in Christ, and in whom Christ abides, are that new creation both individually and corporately.

 Speaking of Jesus, John penned an inspired description of this holy, fruit-bearing nation:  You were slain, and have redeemed us out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.  We have been redeemed out of the tribes, tongues, people and nations that reflect our natural heritage.

 This chosen generation is not restricted to this present forty-year span of time, nor is this holy nation restricted to a particular physical place.  Time and space cannot contain the kingdom of God.  The Psalmist prophetically promised that those who are planted in the house of the Lord (built from living stones) shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age.

 Kingdom fruit evidences the abiding relationship that exists between Christ and His people.  Kingdom fruit glorifies God in the earth.  All of creation is aware of this, crying out for the revealing of the sons of God.  All of the earth will be filled with the government and glory of God.  There is no person or place that is more important to God than another.

 Believers are apostolically charged: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. While influencing (being salt and light in) our spheres of influence, we are not to be distracted by the world’s systemic ills.  Ours is an eternal kingdom!