18Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. – I Cor 4:18-19
The Apostle Paul is speaking of his upcoming visit to the church. Evidently there are some arrogant people around, stirring things up. Paul then makes a distinction between God’s kingdom and all other things: power.
Anyone can talk. All of us can gossip, show our arrogance, and even preach. All of that has no teeth if it is not accompanied by power. I have met people who seemed fired up. What I find in the end is that it is just all talk. However, combine talk with power and you now have my attention.
I am tired of the kingdom being about talk. I am weary of reading books on the church, listening to arguments about what is the best new way to do church. I’m even beat with studies that just present the facts of Christianity. I’m looking for some power. Maybe that is a test of how we know it is God.
God, may your kingdom move through your power. May I see the places in my life that are just talk. May those areas of my life be shut up or redirected to a powerful place. Thank you that your kingdom is not a matter of talk or of my ideas, but of power.
[tags]power, journal, talk, arrogance[/tags]