It is St. Francis who is to
have said, "Go out today and preach the Gospel...and if you must, use
words." It is such a nice thought.
Our loving works done for our family, friends and neighbors demonstrates
the change Jesus has made in us. Some
believe this is the best witness of the power of the Gospel to others.
What is the Gospel? The Gospel is all about Jesus Christ - His suffering, death and resurrection for the redemption of the world. The Gospel is good news, the best news anyone can hear. The Gospel is all about words - words regarding the salvation that is God's free gift to those who believe in Jesus - the way and the truth and the life.
The life that St. Francis is speaking of is one that is motivated by the Gospel. The love of Jesus changes us and moves us. We want to be salt and light to the world. We want to love our neighbor as Jesus first loved them and us. We want to let our light shine in a world full of darkness and sin so that more and more people will come to know and trust Jesus to be their Savior from sin and death.
In Acts, chapter 8, Phillip used the words of the 5th Gospel - Isaiah - to help the eunuch see and believe in the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Paul wrote to the Romans that the "Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of the world." The Gospel is all about the Word - Jesus!
What is the Gospel? The Gospel is all about Jesus Christ - His suffering, death and resurrection for the redemption of the world. The Gospel is good news, the best news anyone can hear. The Gospel is all about words - words regarding the salvation that is God's free gift to those who believe in Jesus - the way and the truth and the life.
The life that St. Francis is speaking of is one that is motivated by the Gospel. The love of Jesus changes us and moves us. We want to be salt and light to the world. We want to love our neighbor as Jesus first loved them and us. We want to let our light shine in a world full of darkness and sin so that more and more people will come to know and trust Jesus to be their Savior from sin and death.
In Acts, chapter 8, Phillip used the words of the 5th Gospel - Isaiah - to help the eunuch see and believe in the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Paul wrote to the Romans that the "Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of the world." The Gospel is all about the Word - Jesus!
Maybe we should think of it like
this: Go out today and love your
neighbor…and when the opportunity presents itself, speak the Gospel.
Tell how Jesus changed your
life in your baptism, washing away your sin and adopting you into His family. Share how the Holy
Spirit opened your eyes to see Jesus in His power and love as you read your
Bible daily. Explain how Jesus gives you hope
even when life’s circumstances threaten to drain the hope out of your
life. Speak of Jesus’ promises to
forgive sins and mistakes, gives peace and rest for anxious hearts and provides
every assurance that His gift of eternal life removes the fear of death.
So, go out today and show the power of God's love at work in your life. Let people see the difference that Jesus makes. But also be ready to speak His Gospel of love and forgiveness to those around you. Preach the Gospel...and use words to do it!
