Religious--Minded People Speak Passionately

                                                        When The Door Slams

For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power. Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod [of discipline and correctional], or with love and gentle spirit?                                                                                                                                         1 Corinthians 4:20-21

        Christianity is not moral platitudes, proud intentions, and noble thoughts. The fundamental characteristic of God's kingdom is power. Paul faced constant criticism about the work among the early churches. Some of his detractors would travel to cities such as Corinth and speak extensively about all that Paul was doing incorrectly. At times, people in the churches were enticed to believe the slanderous against the apostle. 

        Paul responded with a reminder that the test of a kingdom citizen's authenticity was not the persuasiveness of his words but the spiritual power of his life. Paul acknowledged that some did not find him eloquent in speech (2 Cor. 10:10). Yet they could not question God's power in his life. He had seen many people converted, and many churches were started through his ministry. He had been used to heal the sick and raise the dead through God's power. Regardless of whether his words were eloquent, they carried spiritual power and authority that came from God.

        Think about this: You will encounter many religious people who seek to convince you of their opinions concerning the kingdom of God. They may speak passionately. They may even bring charts and graphs to prove their points! But the test of the strength of their words is the spiritual power in their lives. If a person speak forcefully about point of doctrine but is habitually sinning, his words are discredited by his life. If a person talks of the power of God but gives no evidence of victory in his or her life, their words are empty. It is much easier to talk about the victorious Christian life than it is to live it.             

If you only have the appearance of godliness without any agreeing spiritual power (2 Tim. 3:5), ask God to cleanse you of your sin and fill you with His Spirit so that your life is characterized by the Holy Spirit power.

Renewal: Like Josiah, may I do what is right in  the sight of the LORD and walk in all the ways of David, not turning aside to the right of to the left. May I turn to the LORD with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my might, in accordance with all of Your Word (2 Kings 22:1-2; 23:25). 

These are the things I want to do: speak the truth to others, judge with truth and justice for peace, not plot evil against my neighbor, and not love a false oath; for all these things the LORD hates (Zechariah 8:16-17).          

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                           Never Rest Ministries