For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power. – 1 Corinthians 4:20
There was a whole lot of talk. In fact, that is what started it all. In the 1956 Broadway musical comedy My Fair Lady which later was made into a very successful movie, Henry Higgins wagers with his friend that he can change the social status of young Eliza Doolittle from that of a flower girl to a sophisticated Duchess. He is convinced that her speech, composed of hideous vowels and missing consonants, need only be replaced by proper English for her to be successful. At the end, Eliza was changed but seemed lost between the cultures.
The converted Christian may have similar feelings for a time. The people of Corinth are an example; they knew many cultures and many religions. Worship of many gods was integrated in government and their daily social activities. Immorality and idolatry permeated the city. The apostle Paul came and preached the Gospel – the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It was a message of purity, holiness for the Holy God, and His saving grace. Their belief system changed. The Holy Spirit worked in their hearts to convict them of their sin and to transform them to be more like Christ. The truth resulted in lasting changes for the believers in Corinth.
Words will be plentiful over the months between now and the November 3rd election. Temper their impact on you by knowing the truth of God’s Word. Let your actions and speech be under His authority. Let Scripture guide you with certainty so you can judge the promises of those who wish to be leaders in this nation. Know His truth so you can be led with His wisdom. Pray that the candidates would campaign with truth and integrity.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:1-14
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
