Not My Words But His Power

My Utmost For His Highest

 

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power . . . —1 Corinthians 2:4

 

‘If in preaching the gospel you substitute your knowledge of the way of salvation for confidence in the power of the gospel, you hinder people from getting to reality. Take care to see while you proclaim your knowledge of the way of salvation, that you yourself are rooted and grounded by faith in God. Never rely on the clearness of your presentation, but as you give your explanation make sure that you are relying on the Holy Spirit. Rely on the certainty of God’s redemptive power, and He will create His own life in people.’ CHAMBERS

 

Living with two natures as we do … it is easy to confuse the natural with the spiritual.  When we speak .. we speak words that are in our mind whether it be about the meal we just ate or about the love of God.  The difference is that when we talk to people about the Lord, God will use those words for His purpose which is to draw people to the saving knowledge in Jesus Christ.  We can’t do that with ‘just’ words, but only by the power of His Spirit.

 

In order for our words to be used by God, our lives must be submitted to the Lord and we must be walking in obedience to His Word.  There is a story in Acts 19 … “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”

 

My point is that we can say the right things, but if we lack the power of God behind the words and so never see the fruit brought by the working of God’s Spirit.  We, in and of ourselves, cannot save anyone … our responsibility is to go and tell … walking and speaking in the power of the Spirit by faith.  God does the rest.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)