Not in word but in power
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
What do people see when they look at your life. Do they see you living life from victory to victory or a life of problem to problem? Is your life one that will attract others to the Kingdom of Heaven or one that will push them farther away? The attitude you have in life is a direct reflection of the amount of God’s power at work in your life. If you are focused on life’s problems and the people around you just hear about what is going wrong, they will see your life as no different than their own. In contrast, if others hear the testimonies of God bringing you through the troubles, that makes all the difference. The thing is that we are alike with those in the world in that we all go through trouble and problems. The secret is in who we trust to bring us through to the other side of our struggles.
Today’s key verse talks about the people in Corinth coming up short in the power of God in their lives. They were talking the talk but did not have the testimonies to back up their talk. The apostle Paul urged them to follow his example of trusting God through all of life’s trials not to be full of arrogant speech. There were many in the church who were bragging about their salvation but did not trust God with the details of daily living. Paul said he wasn’t trying to shame or embarrass people in the church, but he wanted to see them living by trusting the power of God to lead them through life to overcoming victory in every area.
This goes back to living a life consistently submitting all aspects of your life to the Savior. This is also the way you can demonstrate the power of God in your life. By turning to Him with every care and concern and even the things you are not so stressed about, you are opening the door for His powerful hand to reach in and make all the difference in your life. A difference that will be noticed by everyone around you.
Today I want to encourage you to live your life by the power of God. Put away pride and arrogant speaking and most of all, stop talking about what is going wrong in your life. Instead, turn the attention to the power of God in your life. Let those around you hear you proclaim the goodness of God and all that He brings you through on a daily basis. Then and only then will the outside world be drawn in to trust His goodness, love and kindness.
Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
The Daily Dose 