THE POWER OF DEMONSTRATION

THE POWER OF DEMONSTRATION

READ:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The kingdom of God is not in word
but in power. -1 Corinthians 4:20

For 2 decades, ecologist Mike Hands has worked to help farmers in Central America adopt more effective methods of growing their crops.  It's difficult, however, for them to abandon their long tradition of "slash and burn" agriculture, even though they know it destroys the soil and pollutes the air.

So instead of merely talking to them, Mike shows them a better way.  In the documentary film Up in Smoke, he says:  "It has to be demonstrated.  You cannot preach it.  You can't describe it.  People have got to be able to get their hands on it and see it."

Paul took a similar approach to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He wrote to the believers in Corinth.  "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" (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).  Later in his letter, Paul told them again, "The kingdom of God is not in word but in power" (4:20).

As you live each day, ask God to help you accompany your words with actions.  When we allow God to show Himself through us, it's a powerful demonstration of His grace and love. -David McCasland

Allow is, Lord, to demonstrate
Our faith by what we do,
So that the gosepl can be seen
By those who seek for You. -Sper
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Our words need actions behind them.

INSIGHT
In today's reading, we encounter Paul's sincere humility.  He did not come to the believers at Corinth with an arrogant proclamation of worldly wisdom but with the simple message of the cross and the divine power it demonstrated.  Not long before making contact with the Corinthians, Paul had been run out of Thessalonica by an angry mob of unbelievers (Acts 17:1-18:4).  Yet his modest self-perception was not tied to those humbling circumstances.  Rather it sprang from Paul's sense of awe at the sovereign God of grace, who had now made salvation available to every repentant person who bears and obeys the gospel.  God's character and work have a way of helping us gain a sense of authentic modesty.

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator’s Love Always
Unity & Peace