Can We Really Share the Gospel without Words?

Psalm 89:1 – I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.

A trend in American Christianity tells us that we can share our faith without ever uttering a word. We can live our faith and, conveniently, never have to say anything about God. The concept of sharing the gospel without words has become commonplace, even the norm.

We’ve replaced speaking with being silent.

Why? Because it’s easier that way. I can choose not to go out drinking with the other people in my class, and in that way I’m declaring I’m different. Our modern version of evangelism says that is enough. Not participating in the deeds of darkness has replaced openly declaring the truth of God’s Word and the plan of His salvation. Similar to not participating in sinful actions, we opt out of sharing the gospel by doing that which pleases the Lord when we’re around others. In class, we can be the student who respects the grumpy, not-so-great teacher. We can be the student who is nice to the new kid. We can be the “good kid.”

While all of those things are good, and we should avoid wickedness and do what pleases God, living this way can’t replace actually speaking the truth of God’s Word. Psalm 89:1 says that “I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth” (emphasis added). We can’t rearrange that verse to avoid the fact that the Psalmist openly declares the faithfulness of God to those around him.

Living godly lives isn’t the same as sharing who God is and what He’s done. The reasons someone might choose not to party are many. Only one reason exists that fuels the Christian’s every choice, every action: the faithfulness of God. We have to be clear why we make the choices that we make. It is because we’ve met the eternal, faithful, loving God. Our entire lives are changed because of His faithfulness to the promises He’s made to those He loves.

These are the promises we need to declare with our mouths. God has made a way for sinful man to be reconciled to Him, and this plan is what we must tell others. Living like Christians is to be parallel with telling others the Reason behind our choices. God’s faithfulness is our reason. And every good thing we do (or bad thing we don’t do) is done to bring Him glory and to show our total commitment to Him.

Think about ways we’ve become complacent in keeping our mouths shut regarding God’s faithfulness. Are there times you could say something aloud about God, but you choose not to because you hope your actions say enough? We’re told all our lives that actions speak louder than words, but sometimes actions can’t speak the words we need.

The gospel must be spoken. The gospel must be declared with our mouths.

Hiding behind a moral resume isn't the same thing as declaring to the lost that God has sent His perfect Son to take the wrath rightfully directed at sinners and providing mercy, grace, forgiveness, and eternal life in its place. Sharing the gospel requires words. Try these: "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21)

There is no greater truth. No greater words we could share.

It would be hard to do any action that could communicate that particular truth, found only in God's Word.

It’s time we stop hiding behind godly living and start telling others of the faithfulness of our great God.

Look for a post on sharing the gospel coming up next week! Be sure to follow the Instagram account for daily reminders of God's faithfulness and words that aim to direct people to the only One who offers salvation, meaning, and goodness in this life.