If people are to be converted to the Christian faith, they must hear the Word of God. The apostle Paul said to Timothy, the scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (1Tim 3:15). He said to the church at Rome, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). Whether truth is conveyed by sermons, Bible studies, discussion, reading the Bible or reading a book, through one means or through several, it is by scriptural truth that sinners are brought to saving faith and repentance.
There is a quote often attributed to Francis of Assisi – “preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” The idea that the gospel can be conveyed without explanation is completely false, and almost certainly, so is the quote. There is no record of Francis ever saying this, it is not in his own writings, his students never referred to it and biographers have debunked it as myth. Where the saying came from and why it was attributed to the founder of the Franciscan Order is not clear. From all accounts, Francis was an accomplished preacher who travelled around ministering in villages several times a day.
There is no such thing as a wordless gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ must be comprehended and that requires understanding. It is fair to say, however, that there is more to evangelism than merely speaking or handing out tracts. This is especially the case when relating to unbelievers on a regular basis in the workplace, the home, school, university, places of recreation, etc. The effect of the Gospel in those who believe is transformation. People who come to God through His Son receive justification and cleansing. But not only is their sin forgiven, their desires, their behaviour, their priorities, their speech, their outlook changes. There is a complete re-ordering of their hearts and minds. Salvation means they are new creatures in Christ Jesus.
It is therefore imperative that the unconverted see the effect of the Gospel in those speaking the Gospel. Our lives are part of the message. This is expressed numerous times in scripture – as we have seen in 1Peter.
1Peter 2:11-15, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, (12) having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation……..(15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men”
1Peter 3:1-2, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, (2) when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”
In both cases, Peter indicates that the witness of a Godly life plays a key role when testifying to the truth. With our words we explain the truth, with our lives we demonstrate the truth. It is through our conduct that people can see the effect that the Gospel has had on us. Without a life that displays the character of Christ, we don’t actually have a message worth listening to.
Perhaps we can rejig the quote previously mentioned – “preach the Gospel at all times and of necessity, use your manner of life to affirm your words.”