Talking is Important, but ...
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. (I Corinthians 4:20)
Read: I Cor. 4:10-20; Acts 4:30
What Is God Saying?
In dealing with the many problems that were continually rising in the Corinthian Community Church, Paul points out this important fact: talk is cheap. What counts is spiritual power. What counts is a life of practical goodness. This comment is made against the backdrop of the most important city of Greece in Paul's day. Corinth was also beset with all the traditional problems of seaport cities. This restless, pleasure-worshiping society spawned controversy that reached into the life of the Christian community itself and left the stains of a careless morality on the newly established Christian church.
The problem surfaced in many ways-outright immorality, Christians taking other Christians to civil courts, selfishness on every side, and much quarreling (I Cor. 1:11 ). People used words to promote their self-importance and to establish themselves at the top of the heap. This led to a mood of arrogance (4:18). Paul sends this letter to say he will be there soon (4:19) and he will find out what is self-serving talk, and what is real power in terms of the Kingdom.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Christians need to be reminded that love is something we do. Jesus uses the words of Isaiah to drive home the truth that we can say the right things with our lips and still have a heart that is far from God (Matt. 15:8). This is especially true when we are engaged in the exercise of prayer.
God's words to us have great power. Let us be on our guard, for our words to God may be lacking in power. Let us try to frame our true desires and our true intent with words that are well-chosen and sincere. The Holy Spirit can take our wordless prayers and give them power (Rom. 8:26). He intercedes for us with sighs ‘too deep for words,’ but prayerless words are different. There is no power in words disconnected from our minds and wills. Do we mean what we pray? Would we be willing to walk as we talk, be what we promise, and do what we say? Talk is cheap. Obedience is costly and productive. Listen, then pray. Listen, then obey.
Pray With Me
O God, Your Word is power. You have only to speak and it is done. Thank You for speaking so clearly to me today. To listen to Your voice is a magnificent privilege. To read Your Word while the mind is sensitive to divine truth and undulled by contact with the world of men and things is among God's choicest blessings. Your kingdom is talk! In Your talk there is power. There is no inconsistency between Your speaking and Your doing. You say what You will do and You do what You say.
Yet, Lord, I must admit that in my life there is too much talk that is not power. Forgive the idle word that nervously fills some vacuum of insecurity. Forgive the angry word that impetuously fills some vacuum of wounded pride. Forgive the boastful word that impatiently fills some vacuum of selfish ambition. I am sorry for smooth words that disguise insincerity and for hasty words that reveal an unsurrendered self. Let me guard all mere talking until my words are consistent with my works and my works are invested with Your power.
Let Your power, the power of redeeming love, patient forgiveness, and unquenchable hope fill my life. Let the power that is the kingdom of God give strength to my hand and wisdom to my words. Let all my speaking and doing, all my talking and walking, all my professing and practicing be worthy of Your kingdom. O God, let me never forget that to be a true subject of Your kingdom, I may work without talking but I may never talk without working.
In the name of Him who did not merely talk of Calvary, but proved in death the invincible power of love. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Once again, we see the premise of this book shining with clear meaning. Listen to God! His words come with the power to transform, power to heal, power to challenge, power to awaken, power to encourage. Let His living and powerful Word guide us into prayer. Then, as it works its way through our lives, His words will become embodied in a life that is power-
• power to live,
• power to love,
• power to win over temptation,
• power to serve with faithfulness,
• power to be the sons of God by the New Birth.
That's power in the kingdom. That's power for the kingdom. That's talking with God that results in power from God, for His glory for the blessing of others, and our own soul's ultimate good.
