But I will come--and soon--if the Lord lets me, and then I'll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God's power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power. 1 Corinthians 4:19-20
Division and discord among Christians is nothing new, but perhaps Paul’s approach to resolving it may surprise you. When facing a divisive and contentious church, Paul reminded them that their words held very little power for spiritual transformation. Whether relying on your own words or the teachings of others, the true power of God’s kingdom is in the way His power takes hold in you.
Even your best attempts at encouragement may well fall flat if you aren’t empowered by God. This puts the responsibility for your spiritual transformation on Him, so the pressure is off you.
You can’t make people change and you can’t change yourself. You can only submit to the power of God, and that process of surrender and submission will feel like a lot of work at times! However, the end result of seeking God’s direction and influence is that you’ll change into the kind of person who has something worthwhile to share with others.
Division and discord among Christians is nothing new, but perhaps Paul’s approach to resolving it may surprise you. When facing a divisive and contentious church, Paul reminded them that their words held very little power for spiritual transformation. Whether relying on your own words or the teachings of others, the true power of God’s kingdom is in the way His power takes hold in you.
Even your best attempts at encouragement may well fall flat if you aren’t empowered by God. This puts the responsibility for your spiritual transformation on Him, so the pressure is off you.
You can’t make people change and you can’t change yourself. You can only submit to the power of God, and that process of surrender and submission will feel like a lot of work at times! However, the end result of seeking God’s direction and influence is that you’ll change into the kind of person who has something worthwhile to share with others.