For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
The kingdom of God is not in mere words, talk, speech, or human wisdom, but in divine power bearing divine credentials. It is intensely practical Christianity, for Bible truth is not too sublime for common life but its principles are to control both the little things and the large things of life. Those principles are to reach into every part of daily life, including trials, sympathies, and duties, supplying the motive for a high and holy course of action, with the life of Christ as the example. Seeing the kingdom of heaven requires a transformed character and spiritual vision.
The power is the living presence of Christ, which makes the Word living, and unwavering, steadfast, persevering faith in that presence, taking God at His word, is what gives power. Christ's presence and His promise, Lo, I am with you alway, are the believer's wisdom and righteousness. The power is received by pressing forward unitedly with one heart and one mind, refusing to depend on human wisdom, aid, or leaning on people, but looking beyond human beings to the One appointed by God to carry griefs and sorrows and supply necessities. Taking God at His word and moving forward with steadfast, persevering faith leads to seeing His salvation.
God's workers are therefore to labor together with Him with clean hands, a pure heart, and holy consecrated effort, putting the whole heart into the work for a crown of immortality to gain the triumphs of the cross, with zeal that does not flag. In doing the Lord's work this power stands not in mere talk but in practical, prayerful planning. This means finding the best location, building economically, spending no dollar needlessly, acting only after due consideration and prayer, and counting the cost carefully before building in any place, because a mistake in such a matter brings bitter discouragement.
The kingdom of God is not in mere words, talk, speech, or human wisdom, but in divine power bearing divine credentials. It is intensely practical Christianity, for Bible truth is not too sublime for common life but its principles are to control both the little things and the large things of life. Those principles are to reach into every part of daily life, including trials, sympathies, and duties, supplying the motive for a high and holy course of action, with the life of Christ as the example. Seeing the kingdom of heaven requires a transformed character and spiritual vision.
The power is the living presence of Christ, which makes the Word living, and unwavering, steadfast, persevering faith in that presence, taking God at His word, is what gives power. Christ's presence and His promise, Lo, I am with you alway, are the believer's wisdom and righteousness. The power is received by pressing forward unitedly with one heart and one mind, refusing to depend on human wisdom, aid, or leaning on people, but looking beyond human beings to the One appointed by God to carry griefs and sorrows and supply necessities. Taking God at His word and moving forward with steadfast, persevering faith leads to seeing His salvation.
God's workers are therefore to labor together with Him with clean hands, a pure heart, and holy consecrated effort, putting the whole heart into the work for a crown of immortality to gain the triumphs of the cross, with zeal that does not flag. In doing the Lord's work this power stands not in mere talk but in practical, prayerful planning. This means finding the best location, building economically, spending no dollar needlessly, acting only after due consideration and prayer, and counting the cost carefully before building in any place, because a mistake in such a matter brings bitter discouragement.