“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15

Devotion

To read last week’s devo, Show and Tell (Part 1), click here.

Last week in this space, we discussed the importance of showing God’s love—that as followers of Jesus, we are commanded to demonstrate the love of God through our actions. We love others because Jesus first loved us. We demonstrate God’s love to others out of our gratitude for the unfailing and unconditional love that our heavenly Father has lavished on us.

That is great!

… As a starting point.

Remember, there are two parts to “Show and Tell:” the showing AND the telling.

While showing God’s love through our actions is good, wonderful, and pleasing to him, by itself, it is not enough. After the “show,” there must come the “tell.” We demonstrate the love of God so we can have an opportunity to proclaim the love of God to people who are desperate to hear it. Plain and simple, gospel demonstration on its own is not enough. There must also be gospel proclamation.

Before you break into a cold sweat because you think gospel proclamation means standing on a street corner wielding the 20-pound King James Version your grandmother kept on her coffee table, let me put your mind at ease. Gospel proclamation is as simple as telling someone else the difference Jesus has made in your life.

Yes, there are tools available like the “Four Spiritual Laws” or the “Romans Road of Salvation” that can assist you in sharing your faith. They are good tools to have in your tool belt if you find yourself in a spiritual conversation with someone you don’t know very well. The truth is, all Jesus asks of us is to tell others about the change he made in our lives. 

I have been in ministry for over 30 years, and would you care to guess how many people I debated into the Kingdom of Heaven? Zero. Nil. Zip. Nada. Zilch. 

But I have lost count of how many people God has allowed me to love into his family—simply by sharing about the difference he made in me.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 9, we read the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Later, when the healed man appeared before the Pharisees, they rigorously questioned him and asked his opinion about Jesus. The Pharisees badgered the once-blind man and accused Jesus of being a sinner. To which the man responded: “Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25).

It really is as simple as that.

Have you ever told someone else why Jesus is important to you? Have you ever shared the way your life has changed since Jesus forgave you of your sins? This is good news and good news, is meant to be shared!

Again, I’m not advocating that you randomly chat up everyone you meet in the Walmart checkout line with the question: “If you died tonight do you know where you would spend eternity?”—although it is a valid question. I am advocating and encouraging you to remember that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. As you go through life demonstrating God’s love by serving, listening, and loving others, God will open doors for you to share the difference he has made in your own life.

It’s a powerful story. 

There is a lost and broken world—such as a neighbor, friend, or co-worker—who is literally dying to hear it. 

What are you waiting for?

Go tell.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the beautiful truth that everyone who calls on your name will be saved. Thank you for changing our lives, forgiving our sins, and giving us a powerful story of hope to share.

Forgive us for the times we let fear, awkwardness, or a cold sweat keep us quiet. We know that showing your love is only the starting point—there must also be a "tell." Help us to stop hiding behind our actions alone, and give us the courage to speak up when you open the door.

You aren't asking us to win theological debates; you are just asking us to say, "I was blind, but now I see." Help us love people into your family by simply sharing the difference Jesus has made in us. Give us beautiful feet, Lord, to bring the Good News to a world that is dying to hear it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Michael Milligan
Pastor, Missions & Outreach - OKC

Resources:

Listen to All Sufficient Merit by Crossings Worship Collective.

Read Conversational Evangelism by David Geisler and Norman Geisler.

Watch Top Evangelism Fails/How NOT to Share Your Faith by Jason T. Powell.

See how you can serve through Missions! https://crossings.church/missions.

Explore other devotions like this one any time at crossings.church/devotions .