Matching Up?

  The familiar adage holds true, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Your life will speak volumes to someone before they ever hear a word you say. Therefore, the two components are inextricably linked together. You must genuinely live a Christian life before those you intend to reach with the gospel before they will ever give audience to the message of Christ’s gospel you proclaim. They must see Christ in you, and yet, it is imperative that they hear of Christ from you if they are ever to be saved. So, let me say it this way, neither of these aspects (life or lip) of our testimony are more important than the other since they are both necessary and inseparable parts to an effective witness for Christ.

  1 Peter 3:15 couples these two thoughts together when it says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” When our hearts are right before the Lord, then our conduct will follow accordingly. Living lives consistent with the gospel of grace that we preach which has resulted in our cleansing from sin will make it much easier to tell others of the difference Christ can make in their lives. In addition, the Spirit of God will have freedom to empower us to express the gospel of Christ boldly. It is so good of God to save us, and by means of the Spirit that now dwells within us to obediently live so that others will clearly see and clearly hear the good news of Jesus Christ! Thus, the fulfillment of “. . . and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” as spoken by our Lord in Matthew 28:20b.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8