Real Hope: Spiritual DisciplinesSample

More Than Words

The Christian faith can be so very wordy. Our church gatherings can be filled with words from set liturgies or from leaders who seem to use lots of words when fewer words might be better. Books on how to be a better Christian are churned out by eager publishers. Sermons go on and on in the mistaken belief that more words means more learning.

We are drowning in words. And so, we must not forget that without the powerful working of the Holy Spirit applying such words, they are mere words. Paul reminds his readers that he certainly spoke words when he was with them, but those words were only effective inasmuch as the Spirit of God applied them. As the old saying goes, all word and no spirit we dry up; all spirit and no word we blow up; with both word and spirit we grow up.

And his readers were not just persuaded by words applied by the Spirit, but were influenced by the manner of life of Paul and his colleagues. All the words in the world, and all the spiritual power in the world can be undone by poor examples of godly living.

So, a potent mix of the spoken word of truth, and the inner testimony of the Spirit, and the lived-out faith observed by these readers, led to their becoming God’s people. Centuries later, it is still a potent mix.

Written by DAVID REAY