Establishing an Unshakeable Kingdom

God declares that He will faithfully remove the created things which can be shaken - the shakable kingdom. Why? so that the unshakable may remain. Created things give cultural Christianity its toehold. Created things defeat us and choke the Word - the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth (Matthew 13:22).

When we cross over the line and refuse Him who speaks, He will separate us from the created things - the idols, the shakeable kingdom - which dilute our devotion to him. If we cannot remain obedient, if we cannot be holy, then He will discipline us for our own good, "that we may share in his holiness". . .

Do not be alarmed if God shakes up your world. Though your first natural thought will disagree, it is a blessing. It is not a sign that you are unworthy - every one of us is unworthy. It is not a sign of hatred, but love. If He did not love you, He would let you completely self-destruct. As it is, He cleanses your life from sin. . .

When God disciplines you by removing created things, by shaking up your temporal kingdom, rejoice and be glad. Created things divide our affections from God and become competition to our devotion. They lure us into the wrong race. they consume our creativity and deflect our thoughts away from the Lord Jesus.

I became a cultural Christian. Created things became idols and divided me from complete, faithful devotion to our Lord. God removed most of the created things I accumulated. I built a shakeable kingdom, and God shook it. Words are inadequate to express the joy and gratitude I feel toward God for the wounds He faithfully inflicted. It may be the single greatest blessing of my spiritual pilgrimage.

-From Walking with Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick M. Morley; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado


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