The Kingdom of God Is Not a Matter of Talk - But of The Spirit's Power
One thing's for sure: as modern day Christians, we know the talk. We expound the importance of Bible reading and prayer. We nod our heads when a pastor stands behind a church pulpit extolling the needs of those marginalized in our community - the bereaved, homeless or disabled. Then what? We read books, check out videos from the church library, browse the internet and the latest blurbs from the social media platforms and all the worldly news from various talk shows. But for all the talk, for all the show, for how nicely we have the polished look on the outside, I sometimes wonder if we are not like those referred to in 2 Tim 3:5 "They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make themgodly." What an indictment?
Take a moment and think of all the spiritual disciplines you talk about: prayer and fasting, witnessing and worshiping, memorizing and meditating. How many of these disciplines do you practice on a regular basis?
The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk (which we are so good at) but of power, as our verse says. A form of godliness will soon show cracks and wear. Your talk will ring hollow and empty. As Jesus said, our spiritual lives can only be lived - really lived - from the transformation power working from inside out. You can start today. It begins by asking God toenergize you with the Holy Spirit's power. You can't shape your godliness but you can let godliness shape you. And God's power then will affect everything you say and do.
Scripture: I Corn I:17 "For Jesus didn't send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News - not with clever speeches and high-sounding ideas, for fear that the cross of Jesus would lose its power."
Meditate: Lord, help me to guard my tongue if I start babbling on about spiritual disciplines without really living them.
