A Silent Gospel
Let The Way You Live Share Jesus
A Deputy in a county jail was delivering meals one night when a prisoner asked, “You’re a Christian, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am,” Deputy pauses, “Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re different than the other Deputies, you treat us better,” answered the prisoner.
Something in the Deputy’s demeanor conveyed that it was safe to approach and ask him a personal question.
That’s the Jesus of the gospels. The marginalized, the powerless, the unclean, and the outcast were drawn to him because they saw grace, hope, and acceptance in Him.
Conversely, those who saw themselves as righteous, holy, and morally superior found offense in Jesus and condemned His ministry.
If you call Jesus Lord and Savior, like it or not, you are called to do the same. You are called to show grace and hope to those around you daily. Consider this passage from 1 Peter 3:16,
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you and give the reason for your hope. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Peter implores the disciples to live so much like Jesus that accusations against them will be considered empty lies. In other words, live out the gospel in your daily lives.
In humility, live in such a way that the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are evident in your life. Add to this Paul’s exhortation Philippians 2:3b-4, and you’re on the right path,
Instead, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
You’ve only to ask my wife and kids to confirm that I’ve yet to accomplish this goal; I’m a work in progress, and with Jesus’ help, I’ll keep moving towards the goal. This is true in all our lives; in time, Jesus will bring to completion that good work which He has begun in us. Philippians 1:6
I’m not saying that words aren’t needed to preach the gospel. Romans 10:14–15 makes it clear that the hearing of the gospel is necessary to believe,
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 good news!”
When people saw Jesus, they saw grace, hope, and acceptance in a man they could come to without fear of condemnation or judgment.
We are a silent gospel if we live lives that show grace, hope, and acceptance to those around us. In doing so, we can earn the right to share the reason for our hope, share Jesus, and expect to see Lives change.