1 Corinthians 4:20 - All Talk, No Action!
1 Corinthians 4:20 - All Talk, No Action!
1 Corinthians 4:20 (KJV) For the kingdom of God is not in word,
but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT) For the Kingdom of God is not just a
lot of talk; it is living by God's power.
Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but
also in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners,
delivering persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both
inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing
the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men,
but by the power of God. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
Some people talk a lot about faith, but that's all it is--talk.
They may know all the right words to say, but their lives don't
reflect God's power. Paul says that the kingdom of God is to be 'lived,'
not just discussed. There is a big difference between knowing the
right words and living them out. Don't be content to have the right
answers about Christ. Let your life show that God's power is really
working in you. [Life Application SB]
Walking according to the Spirit is more a relationship than a
regimen. Think about your marriage as an illustration. You may have
started out relying on some rules for effective communication, meeting
each other's sexual needs, etc. But if after several years you can't
even talk to each other or make love without following an outline or
list of steps, your marriage is still in infancy. The goal of a
marriage is to develop a relationship which is more than just rules.
Or think about prayer. Perhaps you learned to pray using the
simple acrostic ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving,
supplication. But if you have been a Christian for a few years and your prayer
life is no deeper than an acrostic, you've missed the point of
prayer. Prayer is not a formula; it's the language of your relationship
with God. Similarly, walking in the Spirit is essentially a
relationship with the indwelling Spirit which defies quantification.
Even though Scripture doesn't give us a formula, it does help
us see what the Spirit-filled walk is and what it is not. Helpful
parameters are found in Galatians 5:16-18: "Walk by the Spirit, and you
will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its
desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these
are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things
that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under
the Law."
So how do you walk by the Spirit? If I answered by giving you
a rigid formula, I would be putting you back under the law. The
Spirit is not an "it"; the Holy Spirit is a "He"--a person. Walking by
the Spirit is a relationship issue, not a legal issue or ritualistic
exercise. It is a walk with God.
Prayer: Father, thank You that my life in You is a
relationship, not merely a set of rules. [Daily in Christ by Neil Anderson re
Gal. 5:16 modified]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Much of modern-day Christianity is lacking power and
conviction because it lacks a close encounter with this aspect of the
Spirit's resources. If we are to experience the fullness of the Spirit in
our lives, then we must open ourselves to everything He wants to
give us. We must not pick and choose and say, "I'll take this but not
that," for in order to be God's true representatives in this world, we
must know Him in all His fullness.
I watched a man on television one day examine a beautiful
painting. He studied it for a few moments and said, "Its perspective is
good, the coloring is fine, the tones are excellent, the idea behind
it is to be commended, but it lacks . . . that."
The same can be said of a lot of Christian activity in this
generation. Our preaching is correct, our worship services are
well-structured, our music is fine, our organization is superb, but it lacks one
thing--the throbbing power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the
Spirit in our midst, we are preaching unquickened truth--truth that
doesn't fall upon the soul with convicting, sobering, awakening,
converting power. Our Christianity is not bad--it is just dull. The Holy
Spirit, when accepted and obeyed, turns insipidity into inspiration,
dullness into dancing, and mediocrity into magnificence. If we are not
careful, we may find ourselves in court one of these days accused of
contravening the Trade Descriptions Act!
Ouch, Lord, this hurts! But I know from experience that You
hurt me in order to heal me. Begin with me today, and set me on fire
that others may catch it, too! Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with
Selwyn Hughes devotional re 1 Cor. 2:4]
How did Enoch walk with God? He educated his mind and heart to
ever feel that he was in the presence of God, and when in perplexity
his prayers would ascend to God to keep him. He refused to take any
course that would offend His God. He kept the Lord continually before
Him. {1SAT 32}
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070226-0914.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130922-1551.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Power of the Gospel Testimonies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUVyxqAV3-Y&feature=youtu.be
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Guides:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Or Send Request for Bible Studies to Fred Gibbs at:
fggibbs@aBible.com
