March 19, 2012 (Joshua 3-6; 1 Corinthians 4)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT
Observation: Paul is giving the church at Corinth some real truth instruction. It’s not enough to just talk about faith, they must apply God’s word to their lives and live it out. Some of the members of the Corinthian church had become arrogant and were claiming to be followers of Paul or Apollos, but not living after their example. Many of them were fans of Paul or Apollos, but had not yet learned what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. Paul told them if the Lord would let him come see them again, he would find out if these men were acting under the power of God or not. Paul was not afraid of a hypocrite, he knew their true colors would shine forth when tried by the fire of holiness.
Application: The church of today is much like to Corinthian church with one exception. When the Corinthian people boasted of following Paul or Apollos, Paul was quick to correct them, and direct them back to Christ. Now days the preachers are the one’s who have become arrogant. They arrogantly, and ignorantly, allow people to boast of following them with no warning or redirection back to Christ ever given to them. Paul was quick to tell people, ‘follow me as I follow Christ’, now days it’s more like, ‘follow me and bring your checkbook with you’. Oh how we have disgraced the name of Christ for monetary gain. Oh how we have excused sin in order to profit worldly things. Oh how we have allowed people to be our fans, while turning them from being His followers.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Strengthen me to honor You in all that I do. Mold me into a vessel that brings You honor and glory. Rise up and fight for me against my enemies, cause them to be caught in the trap they lay for me. Help me Father to not just talk of knowing You, but to live in a manner that proves I’m Yours. For I understand that Your Kingdom is not just a lot of talk, it is living by Your power, in Jesus name, Amen!