Not in Word Only, But Also in Power.

The Gospel, Paul tells us, is "the power of God for the salvation of every who believes in Jesus," (Rom.1:16).  When it is preached faithfully, it comes in both "word" and "in power." It is possible, as is very often the case, that it comes "in word only," and not "also in power."  There are the only two ways in which the Gospel of Christ can be received and experienced:  "in word only" without "power," or both "in word" and "also in power." To have the word with power is clearly the biblical way of preaching.

Yet here is the interesting thing: given that the message in truly based on the biblical text, it is the same message whether or not it comes with or without power.  However, there are great dangers whether message comes without power, one of which that an intellectual faith may well result - and there is enough and to spare of that kind of 'faith of devils.'

But when the Gospel comes "in word" and "also in power," it delivers a life-transforming blow on the person who receives it.  The change that it effects is so radical that Paul describes it as "a new creation."  Whoever receives the word in power cannot remain the same person.  if he can sit and listen to God-anointed preaching that is Holy Spirit empowered, and it has no saving or sanctifying effect on his life, then he is in a very bad and highly dangerous spiritual condition.  Such a person ought to be profoundly concerned about his spiritual condition and standing before God.  He has a name to live, but is dead! 


Where it is received into the heart and life, then the change becomes visible very quickly.  That person has been 'saved' from the other type of life, amongst other deliverances.  He is a man whom God can and will use.  And he will become the target of satanic attention very soon.  Such men must be prayed for frequently because they are the front line foot soldiers of the King of Kings. Their dedication to the Word of God will guarantee devilish attention - in fact, that's how you can tell the man who is serving the Lord Christ!  Just watch and observe what is happening within Christian circles. The time-servers have no such problems - their great concern is to be good churchmen, good servants of the church, which, in their opinion equates with being good servants of the gospel.  Not necessarily!  The good churchmen will always keep their noses clean so far as the church authorities and the local church officers and members are concerned.  They will not, under any circumstances, rock the ecclesiastical boat! 

That's why their ministry comes "in word only."  No power!  No unction!  No divine afflatus upon them.  Nothing to upset the devil and his angels, many of whom are church members!  But when the power descends, not only does the satan know it, so also do the church members.  And not too long after that, the church authorities!