TALK WITH POWER

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

God is alive. What's missing from most religions is a living God. Doctrines can come and go, but the reason that the Bible is unchanged after 2000 years is because it is not simply words, but it is alive and powerful. Even within Christianity, denominations will come and go because that is not what makes up the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is made by the power of Christ crucified, resurrected, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit until Jesus returns at the end. Paul declares that God's kingdom is not about talk. It is about power. That's easy for all of us to forget.

So much of our practice of Christianity focuses on words being preached, read, or prayed. All that talk, though, is meaningless without the legitimate power of God behind it. Paul does not want the Corinthians or us to forget that he did not just introduce them to big ideas that can be captured and manipulated with words. He introduced them to the power of God available only through faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Paul was ready to meet with them and challenge them. He knew that faith is more than just talk, but there must be power behind the words. It is very easy to talk about doing or being something, but it is much more difficult to put that talk into action. In the workplace, many times a worker will complain to another worker about the boss. They will state that they are going to go against the boss and fight him. Yet, when the boss comes around, the person suddenly becomes very quiet. All his words are just words. There is no power behind them.

Many believers talk about God being in control and how He can do mighty works through people, yet most do not show that power in their own lives. They do not show changes in their lives. They do not show any action in their lives of following Jesus. Many can quote scriptures and are always in church. Yet, their life is dead. They do not tell others about Jesus. They walk on the edge of sin in their lives. When they do talk about God, it is very simple and nothing deep with power. Jesus stated that He was sending everyone out in power to change the world.

An old statement of "walk the walk and talk the talk" comes into play here. This power of the kingdom is the power of God to transform lives to bring us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ. It is the power that enables us to accomplish the mission Christ left for His church: evangelizing the world and making disciples. The kingdom's power is not reflected in our material wealth, power, or prestige.

It is reflected in changed lives and the difference we make in the world around us. It is the Holy Spirit at work in us, and we just must allow the power to flow. As we spend time in His presence, the Holy Spirit empowers us. He empowers us to walk righteously. He empowers us to bring the gospel to others, not just with words, but with miracles, again showing God is alive.

We need to walk in bold obedience to operate with every spiritual gift God has given us, whenever He moves us to do so, in order that we might be a walking testimony to the truth of this verse!!!

Father, thank You for this day and that we know the power You have shown in our lives. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be on my friends' and family's portion today. Lord, we thank You for the times You've healed us, for Your miraculous provision, for Your divine intervention with knowledge and wisdom, and even all the miracles we will never know took place. Lord, let us be more and more bold with our own testimony and at the same time, be more and more bold in our obedience to reveal Your power to others. Lord, You reveal Yourself to people in order that they would find healing and hope. Holy Spirit, empower us and direct us to use the gifts we have been given. Lord, we will glorify the name of the Lord with our ministry and our lives. Lord, use my friends to love others today with an unfailing love.

Father, we love You. Amen.