There is something different about people who have embraced the message of Jesus Christ crucified and risen: they have spiritual power in their lives. This spiritual power is what the kingdom of God is all about. We will see this in our passage today:
“Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. 19 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. 20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?”
1 Corinthians 4:18-21 NLT
Question 1. What two things is Paul contrasting in 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 NLT?
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When Jesus Christ came, He brought the power of His kingdom to this earth. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and performed many other miracles (walked on water, calmed storms, fed multitudes with a few fish and loaves of bread, etc.). These miracles demonstrated the power of the kingdom of God.
But it wasn't until Jesus went to the cross that He "bound the strongman" (Satan) and "plundered his house" (Mark 3:27). Through His death, Jesus "disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross" (Colossians 2:15). When Jesus died and rose again, He rescued those held captive in Satan's kingdom (Colossians 1:13, Ephesians 4:8), and this rescue shows the true extent of the power of the kingdom of God.
Through believing the gospel, believers receive the Holy Spirit and spiritual power, and they are freed from sinful bondage and enabled to live a new life in Christ. A life lived at the foot of the cross, with a constant view of the precious dying Lamb who rose again to justify us, provides spiritual power for life transformation. Believers don’t just talk about the gospel; they have been given spiritual power to die to their flesh and live for God. This does not mean we are perfect, it just means we have power to grow!
Here we again see Paul imitating Christ. As Jesus promised His return, Paul assured the Corinthian church that he would come to them again, Lord willing. And at his coming, as Jesus will do, Paul would discover those who had spiritual power and not merely big pretentious speeches. “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
Let’s remind ourselves of what Paul said earlier to the Corinthians, noting the connection between focusing on the death of Jesus and operating in the power of God:
“For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God”
1 Corinthians 2:2-5
Friend, do you want to live and grow in the gospel, mature, and live in spiritual power? If so, you must focus on the cross! The cross is where we receive and learn to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit.
To save the Israelites bitten by serpents and dying because of it, God told Moses, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” (Numbers 21:8 NLT).
Yes, the kingdom of God is not a matter of mere talk but power. The extent to which we experience and live in that power depends on our study of God’s Word and seeing Jesus’ cross and “simply looking at it.” Will you look today?
Question 2. Are you experiencing power as you focus on the cross today? Please share:
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