Many versions of 1st Corinthians 4:20 state the following: "The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power,” but much of what we have today between different religious groups is “my words are better than your words" or "my talks are better than your talks" or "my sermons are more accurate than your sermons.”

And so we critique and squabble over the meaning of many words. 

I’ll admit that this is challenging for me as someone who loves theology and enjoys a personal library of many theological books. The challenge I’m referring to is recognizing that my life isn't measured by mere words, but by an expression of the power of the life in Christ, both in and through me. 

  • Romans 14:17, "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

There was nothing wrong with the dietary laws that God commanded the children of Israel to adhere to in those days. In fact, eating healthy is a good thing and to this day I don't eat shellfish…but it’s not because of the law, but because I'm allergic to it!

In this passage, though, Paul is telling us that because of Christ we have something greater that transcends outward religious regulations: we have the Kingdom of God.

What does an inward expression of the Kingdom of God look like?

  • Right standing with God

  • Righteous behavior with our fellow man

  • Peace that surpasses all understanding

  • An abundance of shalom that fills our entire being

  • Ridiculous, hilarious, faith-filled, overcoming joy in every circumstance

  • Luke 13:14, "But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, ‘There are six day in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.’" 

Here we have a religious leader in charge of a religious institution who failed to see a manifestation of God's power for years. Finally, the Messiah shows up - God in the flesh comes on the scene! - and a woman bound by a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years is healed in a moment! What should the response have been?

HALLELUJAH, GOD HAS FINALLY COME IN THE FLESH! THE MESSIAH HAS ARRIVED! OUR DEAR SISTER, WHO WAS BOUND FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS, IS FREE! LET'S GATHER THE NEIGHBORS AND THE FAMILY TO CELEBRATE!

One would think that this would be the response of everyone in the synagogue that day! Yet instead of celebrating the glory of what God had done, the religious leader was angry because of how and when God decided to work. The leader was so narrowly-focused on his traditions that he missed the miracle happening right before his eyes!

This is also reminiscent of the prodigal son’s older brother who refused to enter into celebration for his brother’s return and instead stood sulking outside of the party.

The narrow focus on mere religious externals without the inward reality of the life of Christ in His Kingdom leads to bondage and depression. While the true life of Christ in the Kingdom inside of us produces peace and extravagant joy.  

From the scriptures, I cannot prove that there's any spiritual being called a "religious spirit," but I do clearly see from scripture that there are religious attitudes devoid of the presence and power of the Spirit and absolutely devoid of joy. 

I must humbly recognize my own vulnerability to this deception. In my life, too often I've been satisfied - or dare-I-say self-righteously content - with having nothing but nice, shiny theological words that were empty of power.

By the grace of God, may I never settle for shadow over substance ever again.