"Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?"
Some people are all talk. They make a big show and act very strong, but they are afraid and weak. They may appear to be one thing, but when further examined, they are revealed for what they really are--nothing. Some people, like those in Corinth, stir up strife and contention. They puff themselves up by attacking others. But they have no real authority, nor do they have any real backbone.
When Paul dealt with this problem, he stated that he had no interest in knowing all of their arrogant and worthless talk. Instead, he wanted to see them back up their claims. God is not impressed by talk, and we should be fooled by it either.
God uses words to communicate with us, and we use words to share what He has shown us. But there is a difference between people’s words and God’s words. The claims that a person makes are only as good as his ability to back them up. It’s not his word alone but the power behind his word that matters.
The truth of God is communicated in words, but they are not mere words. They are the words of the all-powerful One. He can back it up. That is why the Christian should be utterly committed to communicating the truth of God’s word.
1 comment:
Josh, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is good that you include the passage. We all are in need of 'reminders' as Peter wrote shortly before his death. I don't think you'll mind if I attach a link to your devotions in an email to the Floomsgroup.
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