1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. The kingdom of God is — I. A GOVERNMENT OF AUTHORITY IN DISTINCTION FROM LEGISLATION AND REPRESENTATION. A government of absolute authority is characterised — 1. By certainty in the righteousness of its requirements. Human governments cannot be certain here; they arise from finite intelligence; but the government of God arises from infinite intelligence and righteousness, and hence it is absolutely certain. We are so constituted as to accept with entire confidence that condensation of the Divine government known as the Tea Commandments. If a reformer were to propose to change these laws, they could not be accepted by the human character which God has created. In this certainty we see the distinction between the Divine and a merely verbal government. 2. By certainty in the reach of its prerogative. This is not possible to human governments. There are of necessity questions of prerogatives with regard to territories and dynasties, and consequently wars arise over questions of prerogative. There can, however, be no doubt with regard to the reach of the Divine prerogatives. He is the creator of all men, and hence has the sovereign right to govern all. And the omnipresence and omniscience of the sovereign power settles the question. 3. By certainty in the execution of penalties. This is not possible of human governments, for witnesses may be incompetent, and juries may be mistaken. But there is a perfectness in the administration of the Divine justice which renders evasion and error impossible. II. IT IS A GOVERNMENT OF ABSOLUTE AND OF AVAILABLE CONDITIONS, AND IS THEREFORE REMEDY IN DISTINCTION FROM INEXORABLE DOOM. It is one kind of power, having imposed penalties, to inflict them; it is another kind of power to maintain the authority of the government, and yet extend the grace of God. Because Jesus died and ever liveth to make intercession for us, we are called to receive the forgiveness of sins. When the pardon is announced from God, the repenting, believing sinner is able to say, "Being justified by faith, I am at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." There is man dead in trespasses and sins, but under the power of the quickening Spirit the soul is brought to life again. There are the stains which sin has made upon our souls, but "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all unrighteousness." This is the remedy. You thus see the power of God's govermnent rising above all mere nominal definitions in the great change of heart and change of life which the gospel works upon the souls of men. This is the government of remedy, and hence the government of power. III. IT IS A LIFE IN DISTINCTION FROM A DOCTRINE. The potency of the Divine kingdom appears in the fact that it accomplishes what all other forms of power fail to achieve. It is the power not of mere creed, but the power of God within the soul; and hence springs up a life that is "hid with Christ in God." It is a new life, for it is life that flows from Jesus Christ through the faith that is operative in the soul. "Old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new." This is a life of obedience, purity, and benevolence. Let me not be misunderstood as depreciating or undervaluing dogmatic theology; the kingdom, however, is not the doctrine whatever may be its form or its correctness. To take in the words of the Lord Jesus as He utters them is spirit and life, and inclusive of the kingdom; but the words of which we speak are the words of men having only a representative authority with regard to truth. If you ask me, Where is the kingdom? It is within you. If you ask me, What is the kingdom? I answer, It is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Bp. J. T. Peck.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. |
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