Sewing Gospel Threads
Why can’t we all share Christ with the same intentionality as Mark, Kim, and Robert? What if each of us was purposefully sewing gospel threads into the fabric of our everyday conversations? Consider the gospel: the Good News that the just and gracious God of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent his Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against sin on the cross and to show his power over sin in the Resurrection so that everyone who turns from sin and trust in him will be reconciled to God forever. In this gospel, we find various facets or components that every one of us can articulate. Every follower of Christ knows who God is, what man’s ultimate problem is, who Jesus is and what he has done, how someone can be saved, and how important it is for people to be saved. So let’s incorporate the character of God, the sinfulness of man, the sufficiency of Christ, the necessity of faith, and the urgency of eternity into our everyday conversations. And as we thread this Good News into the fabric of every interaction we have with people around us, let’s pray that God will open eyes to see the tapestry of his glory and believe the gospel of his grace.
Practically, let’s speak continually to the people around us about God as someone we know, love, and worship. Instead of speaking like atheists, attributing circumstances around us to chance or coincidence, let’s put God’s character on display every day before people who may not yet believe in him. Let’s speak about God as Creator, as Judge, and as Savior in the context of our everyday conversations.
Similarly, let’s speak about the ultimate problem of man: sin. It may not be the most effective conversation starter to walk up to a coworker at the watercooler and abruptly say, “You’re a damned and dreadful sinner in need of salvation.” At that moment, the only thing that person will want to be saved from is you. Many, if not most, unbelievers are offended that you would even suggest they need to “be saved.” But that doesn’t mean we need to hide the reality of sin in our everyday conversations. Let’s speak humbly about the seriousness of sin in our lives and in a world full of evil, suffering, sickness, pain, and death.
Then let’s speak clearly and compassionately about the person and work of Jesus on a daily basis. Let’s talk about his life—the people he healed, things he taught, miracles he performed, and ways he served. Let’s speak about his death. Do the people around you know how grateful you are for the cross of Christ? And let’s proclaim his resurrection. As Christians, we talk about difficulties in this world with deep hope and unusual joy. Every trial we face, no matter how difficult, is an occasion to point people to God-given satisfaction that supersedes suffering in this life. We talk about cancer with confidence and death with delight, for we know that to live is Christ and to die is gain.
