The Kingdom of God Rests in Power, Not Mere Words

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.—1 Corinthians 4:20

The kingdom of Elohim is not constituted by words, but by power. It is a leading feature of this age to reduce the gospel to phrases. Men formulate religious truths like exact definitions, condemning those who do not align with party vernacular. There exists a grievous lack of earnest originality—a suspicious amount of spiritual plagiarism in colloquial Christianity. Men adopt current phrases as a hypochondriac imagines symptoms of disease. Falsehoods, when repeated at length, impress their author with vague belief in their veracity. The hypocrite or formalist rehearses spiritual phraseology of faith until deceiving themselves into believing they are believers. During the last century, the Church's besetting sin was lifeless formality; men have since learned to stress forms of words instead of forms of worship.

But what manner of power does the kingdom possess? Not natural, moral, nor intellectual power—all men vary in these. The power of the text subjects all believers alike, for it is the power of Elohim unto salvation to every one that believeth. This power commences in those who believe in Christ, continues as they are kept by the power of Elohim unto salvation, and influences them so that Divine strength is made perfect in their weakness. Its extent includes the final destiny of the body, sown in weakness but raised in power. Its duration remains endless, for Christ's people, being kings and priests after the order of Melchizedek, are made after the power of an endless life.