FEBRUARY 18, 2013
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 Cor.
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.
Allow us, Lord, to demonstrate
Our faith by what we do,
So that the gospel can be seen
By those who seek for You. —Sper
Our words need actions behind them.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
