Love in Action is the Greatest Apologetic

Dec 07 | Pastor J.D. | 4 Comments |

Thought this was a great article that demonstrates in Sandra Bullock's life something we often say around our church: "Love in action is the greatest apologetic."

This, of course, is not meant to imply the somewhat similar, though woefully incorrect saying, "Preach the Gospel, when necessary use words." That is like saying "Tell me your phone number; if necessary, use digits." Our Gospel is a gospel of words. It is an announcement of what Jesus has done, not a model about how we are to live. We must use words to declare what God has done on our behalf, but we our love in action authenticates the message that we preach.

4 Responses to “Love in Action is the Greatest Apologetic”

1. Audra says:

   December 7, 2009 at 8:58 am

   So true. That movie was really inspiring. I would highly recommend it.
2. Frank Shelton says:

   December 7, 2009 at 11:17 am

   Great post and I LOVED the Blindside movie. Blessings to you and yours and Merry CHRISTmas
3. Jason Davis says:

   December 9, 2009 at 12:27 am

   I would say words are necessary to preach the entire gospel with all the clarity possible. However, I think large, important parts of the gospel can be preached through pictures or actions that convey the same ideas the words convey.
   For instance, when I first believed in Jesus I had a vision of Christ on the cross, weeping for me and the world he loves. If I were an artist and painted that, it would not be the complete gospel, but it would be an important part of it.
   If all you are saying is “words are a very important aspect of the gospel”… then right on. I just don’t think “Preach the Gospel, when necessary use words,” is like saying “Tell me your phone number; if necessary, use digits.” You can’t say any part of a phone number at all without digits. But you can say very important parts of the gospel without words.
4. Jason Davis says:

   December 10, 2009 at 7:58 am

   Actually, scratch what I just said. Not only can you say very important parts of the gospel without words, there are parts of the gospel you *have* to say without words, J.D.
   1 Timothy 5:17 – our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
   The gospel also includes living a powerful life, filled with the Holy Spirit, as an example. “Preach the Gospel, when necessary use words” is a *wonderful* thing to say, and something the church desperately needs to hear. There is no reason at all to slam that saying.
   It admits words are necessary. What it combats is the fact that way too many people in the church think the gospel is merely words, and, like the Pharisees, they travel over land and see to “save” converts with their words alone, only to send them to hell with their actions. (Matthew 23:15)
   Whether their hypocrisy is done secret or in the open, their lives lack the power of the Holy Spirit, and by their example they turn teach their converts it is okay to be a hypocrite, just like they are.
   The truth is, a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. (James 2:24)