August 9, 2022 BUT IN POWER
1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.”
It is the nature of man to use logic, words, and action to accomplish what he wants. Even as believers we can get caught up in thinking that it is up to us and our self-motivation and self-discipline to be whoever God wants us to be or to do what He wants us to do. We read and speak many words and our intentions may be honorable, but yet we may find ourselves lacking when it comes to living in and experiencing the kingdom of God here on earth in power. Words are very important and communicating is important; but words alone can be empty-just words. Jesus taught on the kingdom of God for the purpose of showing what life was like in the kingdom of God; and it is in great contrast to life outside the kingdom of God. From the verse above we see that life in the God’s kingdom is about power-not words only. One over-riding theme of the New Testament is that of being changed and being transformed, and being made new creations. As new creations, and because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are able to live super-natural lives. There are many ways the power of God may be manifest in our lives, but today let’s look at some of the ways that this power works internally. For example, we have the power to be patient instead of being impatient; to be kind and gentle instead of being harsh; to prefer others over ourselves; to serve rather than being served; to be overcomers instead of being defeated; to be hopeful rather than being depressed; to be content; to be joyful in spirit; to be teachable rather than being stubborn; and the list could go on. The point is that we can live in the routines of daily life with the power of the gospel being experienced and expressed. With the power of God in us, life is not mundane; every day is a new day and a day in which we can experience God at work in us. You might think this all sounds too good to be true, like a dream world-not reality. For sure we do not live a perfect life; sometimes we stumble, YET we always have access to the power of God and God is always drawing us to Himself and inviting us to experience life in His kingdom. Let us not settle for less than living according to the power of God at work in us.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence,
Blessings,
Buddy
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