Devotional: Are You Empowered to Witness?
Paul writes in his letter to the church in Corinth that, “the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Cor. 4:20, NIV). In other words, it is one thing to talk about God’s works, but quite another to perform them. During this series we have asked many questions, both of ourselves and the community that we are a part of, designed to make us ready for the times that we are living in. At some point, however, we must move from questions and discussions to actions and lifestyles. How do we do this? How do we lay hold of the “readiness” God desires for us?
The answer lies in power of the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Trinity that enables us to be witnesses of the Kingdom of God to a dying and depleting world. Without the Holy Spirit directing our steps and fueling our witness, we will fail to be ready for the calling that God has placed on our lives. Without the Holy Spirit, no true ministry, and therefore no true witnessing, can take place.
Questions for Meditation
- What does it mean for the Kingdom of God to consist of power and not talk? Where have you seen an example of this in action?
- What are the three power sources that a Christian has access to? What are the results of “plugging in” to each respective power source?
- What are the things that the power of the Holy Spirit uniquely enables us to do that we cannot do otherwise?
- What does it mean to be a witness? Where do you believe God has called you to be a witness?
- What are the three components to being a witness? Which one(s) do you practice well, and which one(s) do you need to grow in?
- Are you empowered to witness today?