Christian Living

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Do my words truly matter? Do I have to say anything directly about Jesus, or can I just live a good life, holy before the people, and through that, the people will see that I know Jesus? After all, isn’t it by the way I live that I will reach people for Jesus, not necessarily by my words?

I decided to see what the Bible said about this matter. The words of Paul resonated with my heart and echoed in my ears. ”Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,” (2 Corinthians 3:12 ASV).

I realized that my friends, family, co-workers, and even brief acquaintances were waiting to hear of the confident hope that I possess as a Christian. It took courage and some gentle nudges from the Holy Spirit, but I decided to be bold and say something about Jesus Christ to the people in the sphere of my influence.
Satan taunted me with doubt as I prepared to move forward. “What will they think of you? It’ll be awkward for both of you, and you might lose a good friend. Just walk away; it’ll be so much easier.”

Despite the doubt that crept in, I decided to share about Jesus, because my hope is in him. I don’t want to just be content with my own salvation when I also can lead others into a relationship with Christ.

Have you been silent about your faith when you could have spoken courageously?

In our increased momentum today, we may have no more than a brief window of time to ignite someone’s hope with our words. As we engage in conversation when those divine doors of opportunity open, we can offer to intervene with prayer for someone’s needs and tell them, when they feel like no one else cares about them, God cares deeply for them, he loves them, and is their provider. There are many times when we are incapable of supplying a remedy for someone’s requests, only Heavens provision will be sufficient for their needs—but we can voice that we care. And Heaven will open up for them and God’s love will illuminate when we enter into prayer. Our faith in God is revealed when we thank him for what he has done and is going to do in their lives through prayer.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

While voicing someone’s needs through prayer is one way to reach out to people with God’s love, our testimony is another way to encourage someone and to bring light to their soul. This story God has given us to testify, can speak outwardly regarding the miracles that God has done in our lives and the trials that we have overcome by his power. We do this in hope that others will be drawn to Christ and desire the precious gift of eternity with him through salvation. Mixing our conversation with the scriptures, can also change and heal their hearts as we tell of Christ’s compassion for their pain. These choices to speak about Jesus are much better than merely conversing about the weather. The hope in Christ is what everyone needs to hear, even though their flesh might oppose the idea. However, we must continue, as believers, to let people in on the truth as we keep sharing for the sake of Christ, the one we love.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)

Does Jesus, who is God, mean for us, who are Christians, to keep our relationships with Him silent or to exhibit it only by holy living? Let’s let Jesus’ life be our example.

In his brief ministry, Jesus did more than walk through towns performing miracles and good deeds. Jesus used his sacrificial life and words of truth to change the world. He didn’t go about saying nothing or withholding words. On the contrary, he spoke in a loud voice with words of encouragement and deliverance to the crowds. He spoke wisdom and knowledge constantly to his disciples; he spoke boldly and without shame to the Pharisees with words that would help them repent and be restored if they would listen and obey. He spoke in detail and clarity to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to write the four Gospels. Jesus had so much to tell in the brief span of his earthly ministry.
Jesus came to tell the world about grace and truth, and the hope and peace only found in him.

He came to tell the world about forgiveness of sins for those who ask him and are truly sorry, and judgment for those who continue in sin.

He came to tell the world about God, his Father and the beautiful promises and plans that he has for them.

He came to tell the world about Heaven, the Paradise of God, and that he is coming soon to take those who have put their trust in him to Heaven—so they can live with him forever.

In our world today, as in Jesus’ time, we must speak out on behalf of God’s precious and costly words. Jesus, who also is called the Word of Life, shared God’s Word everywhere he went. He reached out to sinful, broken, and helpless people—to a world looking for answers as well as a Savior in whom they could place their hopes. He suffered an excruciatingly, cruel death on the cross and died for all the people’s suffering and sin, even though he had no sin nor had committed any crime.

In obedience, Jesus spoke the very words his Father told him to say—those holy words are now written in the Bible. These same words give life, renew minds, and give strength. They are the gateway to know the truth and to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father through his one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

When you become a new creation in Jesus Christ, you also become God’s spokesman (Jeremiah 15:19). In being God’s representatives, we are called to speak good words—his words of truth, words that have the power to overcome sin and self. Being God’s mouthpiece isn’t an effort to obtain salvation because God’s grace alone saves us through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). But truly how sweet it is when we go and find those that are lost, and then, tell them of Jesus’ saving grace—the grace that covers all of our sin. In doing so, we are fulfilling our calling for the Kingdom of God. It is so awesome to be a part of a life transformed by the power of God after someone has accepted Christ because of the Word of God and our testimony. That once lost individual will receive eternal life and will reside in Heaven with us one day. And no one can take away our reward for our obedience. It’s waiting for us in Heaven.

God’s word says, “Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NLV). Indeed, being the temple of God, we should live righteous and pure lives as holy witnesses for Christ. “For God’s temple is holy, and we are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:17 NLT), and we should “be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 NIV). So, yes, we should ‘show’ Christ in us by the way we live; however, we should also speak gallantly and without fear of what anyone will say or do to us—making sure we are not being obnoxious in the process. We should be, therefore, willing to speak words of love and hope in kindness. And why wait until someone asks?

Now, more than ever, the Gospel pathways are open wide to share the beautiful words in the Scriptures that bring healing and wholeness to a hurting world in need of Jesus Christ. Jesus will speak to you and through you, when you speak his words of hope. Merely go, like it talks about in Matthew 28:19; find Jesus’ lost sheep and tell them of the blessed hope found in Jesus alone—be there—do what God has asked you to do. Just speak His Word and the Holy Spirit will change your simple voice to the mighty voice of God as if it were God himself speaking. He will translate your human voice to heavenly speech as he supernaturally does a voice-over to make the message plain. God has an eternal purpose for us speaking—to bring glory to God with the words that we say.

Our words really do matter, especially when they are joined with our holy living. We won’t live today over again and we don’t know if we will live tomorrow—so do good today while we still can, or otherwise, we will miss an opportunity. And without hesitation, nobly speak out and speak boldly for the cause of Christ as we follow his example—until the whole world hears his awe-inspiring words of truth. Glory to God!

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