God's Power

Not in Words but in Power

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”  I Corinthians 4:20

I often wonder why so very many a “Bible believing Church” doesn’t appear to believe the whole Bible but appear to be selective in the beliefs they hold core to their philosophy. It has always struck me as a bit – how can I put this? – presumptuous for anyone to say anything like this, “We believe the Bible – except this – and that – and of course there’s the other bit which is nonsense in today’s society.”

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,  that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Paul preached NOT words, but POWER – the power of Holy Spirit.

Yet, despite all this testimony from the apostles and from Paul, all contained in the book that churches claim to “believe”, so very many either ignore Holy Spirit, or they dismiss Him as irrelevant today, or only for the first church and withdrawn today. What do those same churches think then of the gifts of the Spirit? In their wisdom many have decided that any manifestation of the gifts, especially tongues or discernment or deliverance, is demonic. How can anything spoken of in the Bible, which they say is God’s Word, and which  they claim to believe, be demonic? This is part of the ‘falling away’ spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; it is part of Holy Spirit’s work here on earth until He is “taken out of the way” – verse 7.

So, believing the Bible, the Word of God, rather than by our own words, it is by the power of Holy Spirit that we will reach the lost in these dark days. When will the Church embrace Holy Spirit and make Him welcome at every meeting; allow Him to move at every meeting; and stop quenching Him as He yearns for us to let Him work in His own unique way?

Believing the Bible, the Word of God, rather than by our own words, when will we invite people to meet Him, to know Him, to experience His fellowship?

Believing the Bible, the Word of God, rather than by our own words, when will we personally let Holy Spirit be the power in our own lives and in the lives of those around us?

Believing the Bible, the Word of God, rather than by our own words, when will we become true Holy Spirit impacted churches who value and treasure His presence, His ministry, His power, and His help?

After all, even Jesus told us He was to be our Helper, Teacher, Counsellor, and Guide. Didn’t He?