Power, Not Posturing

Read: 1 Corinthians 4:18-20

The Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

IN WORD

Paul had already reminded his readers in Corinth of his attitude when he came. He preached words not of human wisdom but of demonstrable power (1 Corinthians 2:4). Why? Because the message of the Kingdom is not a matter of talk. It’s a matter of experience, of change, of the Spirit actually at work in people’s lives. So as he confronts the “all talk” people in this letter, he states this truth again: At its core, the Kingdom life is a powerful one. It is not simply a different lens for looking at the world, a message of encouragement for the discouraged, or theological explanation of atonement. It is all those things, but it’s more. It’s a life fueled by the infinite Spirit flourishing within us.

If the gospel of the Kingdom isn’t practical—something we can experience moment by moment—then it isn’t the good news we were looking for. That’s the conclusion many have come to, usually subconsciously. Plenty of Christians have given up on the gospel’s power, accepting it as a belief system but then looking elsewhere for practical help with daily life. But the Spirit of the Kingdom is available for insights, wisdom, miracles, breakthroughs, comfort, direction, and more. We can’t systematize His work or explain exactly when, where, and how He works, but we can emphatically decide that He does. And when we do—when we believe and ask and pursue—He leads us into a quality of life that surpasses whatever we have experienced before.

IN DEED

Does that mean constant success and the end of hardships? Of course not. But it does mean we can truly overcome and receive real solutions to the obstacles and problems of life. We can never be content with a faith that consists of nothing more than words; we must relentlessly go after the Spirit’s power wherever and however He offers it. He did not come into this world so we could have great conversations; He came so we could have real life in all its fullness.

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The same power that brought Christ back from the dead is operative within those who are Christ’s. The resurrection is an ongoing thing.

LEON MORRIS