Preach The Gospel…

“Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words.” This is a phrase that is extremely popular within the Christian faith. It is one you have most likely heard if you have spent any amount of time in and around Church. There is some debate on the origin of the quote, but scholar’s best guess is St. Francis of Assisi. We will likely never know the true original of the quote, but because it is used so frequently, I want to take a closer look.

At first the quote seems “good”, but upon further thought I fear this well intentioned  statement has some significant biblical flaws. Let me begin by saying my intent is not to attack the idea the we as Christians should live a Gospel-led life. We certainly should, and must do this. Galatians 5: 22-23 (NIV) says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” In his writing to the Galatian Church, Paul is explicitly telling them and us what a Spirit-filled, Gospel-led life should look like. This fruit is evidence to us, and the world that we have received Christ’s gift of salvation, and as a result now have God’s Holy Spirit living inside us.

The point I am trying to make is this. The incredible fruit that results from the indwelling Holy Spirit leading us through our sanctification on this side of eternity is not the same as preaching the Gospel to an unbelieving world. Don’t misunderstand me, this fruit looks entirely different from the fruit of the flesh mentioned in the preceding verses (Galatians 5:19-21), but our hope is that this fruit causes us to stand out in such a way that the world has to know why. Maybe we get questions like “How do you find such joy?”, or “Where does your patience and self-control come from?” Now we have our chance to share the Gospel, but that’s going to require words, not just actions.

In Romans 10: 14-15 (NIV) Paul writes, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.” One of my favorite things about the Apostle Paul is the simple fact that he is blunt. It seems incredibly clear that Paul is telling us the importance of not just “showing” the Gospel, but of “preaching” the Gospel.

I certainly hope to live a life so in tune with the inter-workings of the Holy Spirit that the unbelieving world takes enough note to ask me why I seem so different. But, here’s the truth. I am still a sinner. I fail more times than I care to admit. My fear is that if I believe I can behave in such a manner that someone comes to know Christ as their Savior strictly from my “example”, I’m not just being arrogant, I’m being foolish.

Here is a simple, but true story from a familiar example. We’ve also all likely heard the term “Lead by Example.” This term often describes someone who does all the right things, but often without much spoken as to why or how. Again, I am not attacking the idea that our example has a profound impact on those around us. It does. I had a player a few years ago who most would have described this way. A truly outstanding young man. He did above and beyond what was asked with great effort. He mostly worked in silence. His peers respected him, but almost viewed him as a robot. He was just doing all the right things, the right way, because that’s what he did.

I asked him one time why he worked so hard. His answer was profound. He said he loved his teammates and he didn’t want to let them down. He understood they depended on him. He said even when he had a bad day he didn’t want that to affect his work, because he knew that if it did, it cheated those around him of the best of him. (I told you he was a good kid!) I then asked, have you ever thought about telling them that? I could tell it made him a little uncomfortable, but he was willing to try.

He began to share with his teammates that they in fact were his greatest motivation. He shared with them how much he cared. He was vulnerable enough to admit it wasn’t always easy, especially when he’d had a rough day. Do you know what happened? He wasn’t a viewed as a robot anymore. His peers recognized that he needed them just as much as they needed him. Bonds were strengthened. All that happened because an incredible young man wasn’t satisfied to assume his example was enough to lead others where they needed to be.

That’s my challenge to all of us. Don’t be satisfied to bear fruit. Care so much for the eternal destination of those around you to share the Gospel with them. It doesn’t have to be eloquent, just allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. It is the most impactful message you’ll ever deliver, but it is as simple as this. We are all sinners. This sins separates us from God. He loves us so much that in spite of this sin he sent his son Jesus. Jesus died on a cross once and for all. He rose from the grave. Because of that sacrifice, we can be reunited with Christ in eternity.

God Bless,

Phil Johnson

Founder J23 Ministries