1 Corinthians 4:17-21
17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
18 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
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
We have recently been looking at houses and looking to purchase our first home. It is a really exciting time as we look at different places and dream about where we could live. Each house seems to have its strengths and weaknesses. One is in a wonderful location but is the size of my backpack. Another is a mini-mansion but is set on a road where I would be afraid to walk my dog. I love imagining what you could do with each house and how you could make it into something special. I get genuinely excited as I get lost in my imagination. In all the fun and exploration, it is easy to forget that we actually will need to pack our boxes, move in and get the paintbrushes out. Buying a house is the biggest investment we will make and not just a game.
The same is true of our faith. There is so much that is fun about following Jesus. He calls us into community, full of food and socialising. He invites us into his presence with singing and dancing. He uses us to perform miracles and to bless people. Following Jesus is a lot of fun. However, it is not a game. It is the most serious and significant thing that you can be part of and it affects every area of your life.
When you miss the weight and cost of faith, you misunderstand your relationship with it. It becomes a luxury rather than your daily bread. You pull away from the hard work or the tough times. You let others down and overlook the consequences of your choices. Casual attitudes cause casualties.
There are a lot of people who look good, know how to talk the talk but do not know the power of God at work in their lives. There is real power that is available through the Holy Spirit that will change lives. It is a lot of fun but it is also to be taken seriously.
