Recently, and on previous occasions, I have found myself having to confront a certain type of theology that stirred my heart today. The rudiments of this theology would state that the unbelieving world knows God by the actions and lives of Christians. As in, the evidence of a person's Christianity to an unbelieving world is his/her lifestyle. While on the surface this sort of theology jibes with underlying principles of the Christian faith, it neglects another, namely, the authority and power of the Word of God.
At the onset, a brief qualifying statement is in order. Christianity is supported and, in a sense, evidenced by a life that adheres to the teachings and example of Christ Jesus. Word and deed. We need both of these. However, being a Christian that expresses the love of Jesus to the stiff conviction of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) requires a deep and ardent commitment to the Word of God.
The issue at hand is one of power and of authority. The essential question for every believer to ask is: what has the power and authority to cause people to repent from sin and to sling to the Lord in a life-changing, transformational way? The answer is two-fold, involving two equally-necessary forces: the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
Consider this from a logical standpoint for a moment. If the Word of God is in fact Jesus (John 1:1-5), and becoming a Christian is a matter of faith in Christ Jesus, then how could anyone become Christian apart from them hearing, at the very least, the story of Christ? Unequivocally, the appropriate response is that no one can come to Christ apart from encountering His Word. For if anyone claims to know Christ apart from His Word, then their testimony is called into question as is the Christ they have chosen to worship.
It is the Word of God, inspired by and understood by the Holy Spirit, that is authoritative. If we, as Christians, would like to "live by example" in order to express Christ to a fallen world, not only will we be ineffective in garnering the intended result of discipling people and bringing them to a transformational relationship with the Lord, but we will also fail to rely on the power of God to convict the hearts of those around us who we may actually be affecting.
Quite bluntly, to not preach the Word of God and to not make His Scripture be the very speech that falls from our lips is tantamount to not spreading the actual power of the Gospel. I understand that this is challenging and convicting teaching, however, how we relate to and express the Word of God is at the very heart of how we relate to and express God Himself.
How we overcome such a deficient attempt at evangelism is simple but by no means easy: we need to speak the Word of God, share the verses that speak to that moment, and present the Scripture to those who may not be saved with grace and kindness. This may sound like "Bible thumping," but what would be worse: being hit by God Almighty who reveals Himself through His Word for the purposes of humility and salvation, or eternal damnation because some believer was too afraid to share it?
Now, and this needs to be asserted clearly, this does require a fair bit of discernment and, frankly, Bible study on the part of the believer. However, what could be more exciting for someone who claims to know God that digging into His Word in order to be obedient to His commandments? Clearly, nothing is more important. Although Christians must back up their beliefs by living them out, they must also acknowledge that their beliefs are dependent upon their reliance on the Holy Word of God, the Scriptures themselves. Therefore, let us strive after the Word and be bold to preach it for in doing so we will see God move and transform lives!
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