Not a Matter of Talk but of Power

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4: 20

We all get this. Even if you don’t get what “kingdom of God” means exactly, you get “not a matter of talk but power,” right? Every one of us has been in a situation where the words are coming out of someone—your spouse, your parent, your national leader, your spiritual leader, yourself—and you’re feeling like it’s just talk, talk, talk. But we don’t want talk. We want action!

God does too. 

Let’s be clear: the kingdom of God, which Jesus came to not just talk about but bring about, can also be referred to as the reign or realm of God. Anywhere you see dead that comes alive is where God rules. Simply put: What was upside down has turned right side up.

And when this happens, it’s powerful!

• Your daughter has speech impediments. Then her tongue is released and she speaks fluently. The kingdom has come in power.

• A marriage on the verge of ruin is reconciled. The kingdom has come in power.

• Your addiction to pornography is finally acknowledged, dealt with, and you’re free. The kingdom has come in power.

The kingdom of God is not about talk. Rhetoric is bogus without action. Jesus was like, “Save your breath” to the religious leaders. Talk is cheap. But action that brings a real change requires power.

If you’re anything like me, you can barely sit still when you hear cheap talk. Showy, annoying talk. Flashy talk that lacks power. Transformational kingdom power is what we’re really after.

I want that. And nothing less.

So how do we get it? 

Ask for it. 

“God, turn my words into action.” 
“Turn my words into Your words and ignite them, O God.”
“Let this action—large or small—be infused with kingdom power.” 

Then move out, walking the talk, and trusting God to bring the power.

I’m real because God is so real.
~Nancy