1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1. The text does not mean that words have no place in the kingdom of God. No man made a more marvellous use of language than St. Paul. A man who has a perfect command of words has a very great command of things, because words are things in reality. 2. Yet it is true that the kingdom of God is not in words but in power, as it is that the glory of the picture is not in its frame, but in the picture itself. The gospel is in power. Men write and speak about it, some for and some against it; and in either case there is evidence of its power. Nothing in Europe to-day has such power over the minds of men as the New Testament. Millions of people believe the gospel, and are endeavouring in a manner to conform their lives to its requirements. Then people who are in trouble all love it. You have no idea what a power it has over them. What is the reason? I attribute the power of the gospel — I. TO THE CHARM OF THE LIFE OF JESUS. You have read all manner of lives, but as a rule you do not read a man's biography twice. But how many times have you read the life of Christ? You say, "But it is in the Bible, and is inspired." You do not read it because of that. The main secret is in the charm of the history itself. There are certain elements of it that must always have a wonderful power over man. 1. Its truth and naturalness. Some men love error, but our nature loves reality, and any man that is brave enough to be natural and true will be loved, and people will gather around him. No age was ever more real than this. Everywhere men are inclined to discover the reality of things, whether in the heavens or in the earth. Look at the sorrowful earnestness of writers in the daily journals. In the New Testament you meet a man who speaks fresh from the glory of God; you come in contact with reality and truth, qualities which will always have a charm. 2. Its perfect goodness and love. All that is rich, sweet, and inspiring in the vegetable world is concentrated in the fruit of the vine. Jesus said, "I am the Vine"; and all the virtues are found in Him. It is this that gives a power and a charm to the gospel. 3. Its supernatural majesty. Take one or two instances. There arose a great storm, and He said, "Peace be still." There followed a great calm. He sees people burdened with sin and sorrow, and He says, "Come unto Me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." When sin and death came into the family of friends, He said, "Lazarus, come forth," and the man came forth from the tomb. You may write splendid essays to prove that miracles are outside experience; but as long as you have this supernaturalism mingled with goodness, and all founded upon truth and naturalness, you will have a power which will always have a charm for the minds of men. II. TO THE MANNER IN WHICH OUR LORD MAKES GOOD HIS DOCTRINE OF THE DIVINE INTEREST IN US. Science is bringing marvellous facts to light. Why then not make a religion of science, and make thoroughly scientific men the priests of that religion, and let its disciples worship the cosmos? You cannot. Science does not touch the heart deep enough. Why not make a religion of philosophy? Why not worship the Absolute One which underlies all things? The answer again is you cannot. Philosophy does not touch the heart deep enough to cause it to worship. Splendid as it is, still it seems cold as the northern lights that play around the pole. Why has the gospel a power over us? It brings God near to the heart, and enables us to believe in, to love, and to worship Him. III. TO ITS DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL LIFE. All that we are and all that we have are summed up in the word "life." Hence men love life so dearly. "All that a man hath will he give for his life." We say of some people that they love riches, but it is not gold the people love. It is the position, the influence, the enjoyments, the independency that wealth gives. Men love wealth because it can make their life deeper, richer, broader. These are seeking the tree of life if they only knew it, but in the wrong way, in a way in which they never can find it. The gospel has a charm over us because it speaks certainly concerning eternal life. If you could take away all desire of knowledge from man, then you might shut up all the libraries of the world, for books would have no power. Books appeal to the love of knowledge. If we could lock out this thirst for life, if we could reduce the human mind to contentment, so that it should cease to desire an endless, blessed existence, then might the gospel become a dead letter. But whilst we thirst for eternal life, the message "I give unto you eternal life" shall always be welcome. (T. Jones, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. |
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