“…I’ll find out whether these arrogant people are just big talkers or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power.” First Corinthians 4:19-20.
A few years ago I had a close friend that often spoke at length about his love for the martial arts. This guy was about 6'4" and looked like he weighed just over a hundred pounds. He looked like he was made out of matchsticks and was as graceful as the tin woodman. I'm no martial artist, and really don't know what it takes to become one. I don't even what a good martial artist looks like. I must say, however, that even though my friend's love for the martial arts was evident I seriously doubted he had the physical ability to pull off anything that could possibly be regarded as "martial" or "art."
One night we were hanging out with a few of our other friends at one of our favorite night spots when one of my friends had a drink thrown in his face by a drunk that wanted to start a fight. My martial artist friend reacted and retaliated so quickly that I am still not sure to this day exactly what happened. I do know that I saw him plant his foot in the drunken guy's chest twice in the blink of an eye and then, just as quickly, he had his hand caught up in the guy's hair and was about to smash the drunks face into his knee when the owner of the establishment hollered at him to stop. I no longer doubt that my friend has the power to back up his claims as a trained martial artist. Neither does the poor drunk that helped my friend provide direct physical evidence of his ability.
A person's claim to possess power without being able to present direct evidence of said power carries the same weight as conjecture or suspicion in a court of law. The problem with conjecture and suspicion is that they are both statements or judgments based on incomplete information on the part of the supposed witness.
In First Corinthians 4, Paul points out that saying you are a Christian does not prove anything to anybody--living your life by God’s power proves that you are a Christian. Just a few verses earlier (I Cor 2), Paul pointed out that God’s power is not proven through fancy words or profound speeches; His power is proven when the Holy Spirit does His work.
No amount of eloquence or verbal gymnastics will prove my Christianity. Only when God’s power is made visible through my actions can I prove that I am a follower of Christ. I can’t claim spirituality and then live in such a way that makes others doubt my claim. The church in Corinth claimed a high level of spirituality, but had members living in open sin. They were warned to cast these people out!
God grant me the power, through your Holy Spirit, to live a life in line with your Word. Help others to see your power at work in my life. God, let my life be direct physical proof that I am a Christian.
A few years ago I had a close friend that often spoke at length about his love for the martial arts. This guy was about 6'4" and looked like he weighed just over a hundred pounds. He looked like he was made out of matchsticks and was as graceful as the tin woodman. I'm no martial artist, and really don't know what it takes to become one. I don't even what a good martial artist looks like. I must say, however, that even though my friend's love for the martial arts was evident I seriously doubted he had the physical ability to pull off anything that could possibly be regarded as "martial" or "art."
One night we were hanging out with a few of our other friends at one of our favorite night spots when one of my friends had a drink thrown in his face by a drunk that wanted to start a fight. My martial artist friend reacted and retaliated so quickly that I am still not sure to this day exactly what happened. I do know that I saw him plant his foot in the drunken guy's chest twice in the blink of an eye and then, just as quickly, he had his hand caught up in the guy's hair and was about to smash the drunks face into his knee when the owner of the establishment hollered at him to stop. I no longer doubt that my friend has the power to back up his claims as a trained martial artist. Neither does the poor drunk that helped my friend provide direct physical evidence of his ability.
A person's claim to possess power without being able to present direct evidence of said power carries the same weight as conjecture or suspicion in a court of law. The problem with conjecture and suspicion is that they are both statements or judgments based on incomplete information on the part of the supposed witness.
In First Corinthians 4, Paul points out that saying you are a Christian does not prove anything to anybody--living your life by God’s power proves that you are a Christian. Just a few verses earlier (I Cor 2), Paul pointed out that God’s power is not proven through fancy words or profound speeches; His power is proven when the Holy Spirit does His work.
No amount of eloquence or verbal gymnastics will prove my Christianity. Only when God’s power is made visible through my actions can I prove that I am a follower of Christ. I can’t claim spirituality and then live in such a way that makes others doubt my claim. The church in Corinth claimed a high level of spirituality, but had members living in open sin. They were warned to cast these people out!
God grant me the power, through your Holy Spirit, to live a life in line with your Word. Help others to see your power at work in my life. God, let my life be direct physical proof that I am a Christian.
No comments:
Post a Comment