Comments on: Preach the Gospel at all times… and use words! http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/ Life, adventure and faith in southwest Virginia Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:58:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-309274 Jennifer Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:44:54 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-309274 I know this is an old post, but just an FYI, this quote is a misattribute. St. Francis never said it; the closest thing scholars can find is that he told his friars not to preach in an area without permission of the local Bishop. St. Francis was a firey preacher and is probably appalled at the way this quote has been used by some to excuse themselves from preaching the Good News. I know this is an old post, but just an FYI, this quote is a misattribute. St. Francis never said it; the closest thing scholars can find is that he told his friars not to preach in an area without permission of the local Bishop. St. Francis was a firey preacher and is probably appalled at the way this quote has been used by some to excuse themselves from preaching the Good News.

]]> By: Russell McMahon http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-298567 Russell McMahon Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:18:01 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-298567 Your point is well understood, and 'works without proclamation' is often (not always) as dead as faith without works, BUT I think you may lean too far and give the appearance of missing an important point. I doubt that you miss the point - but it's not made clear. When asked the greatest commandment, Christ famously led with 'the Shimah' and then followed up with the much more obscure " ... and you shall love your neighbour as yourself". The latter is not said by Christ to be, and is not, a 'means' only of leading people to the former. It is a necessary part of becoming Christlike. - Let your light so shine before men ... . - "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples - if you have love one for another". In how many churches do people SEE the power and love and reality of God written on the lives of its members. Loving Christ's world with the love of Christ is part of being Christlike. Certainly, proclamation of the good news is an inseparable part of the whole. BUT the loving is NOT just a means of allowing the message to be conveyed or the ground to be rendered more fertile. Loving Christ's world with Christ's love is utterly inseparable from achieving his purpose for us. Indeed, Christ said so. ["Hear O' Israel ... and your neighbour as yourself". ] It is unlikely in the extreme that St Francis missed that point. His wording was not as the quote is now put, but he reportedly expressly gave his followers that message. (Finding actual rule of (year)1221, chapter 17 wording proves hard). Words are necessary but not sufficient. An active Christian life MUST include Christ lived out in the experience and practice of the "protagonist". A possibly apocryphal story of a question from a biker to Billy Graham is relevant. "Do you love me because you want to save me, or do you want to save me because you love me?" Our love MAY be reflected in words alone, but it's more likely that our lives should reflect Christ wordlessly and form part of our active proclamation of him and his kingdom. No? Your point is well understood, and ‘works without proclamation’ is often (not always) as dead as faith without works, BUT I think you may lean too far and give the appearance of missing an important point. I doubt that you miss the point – but it’s not made clear.

When asked the greatest commandment, Christ famously led with ‘the Shimah’ and then followed up with the much more obscure ” … and you shall love your neighbour as yourself”. The latter is not said by Christ to be, and is not, a ‘means’ only of leading people to the former. It is a necessary part of becoming Christlike.
- Let your light so shine before men … .
- “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples – if you have love one for another”.
In how many churches do people SEE the power and love and reality of God written on the lives of its members.

Loving Christ’s world with the love of Christ is part of being Christlike. Certainly, proclamation of the good news is an inseparable part of the whole. BUT the loving is NOT just a means of allowing the message to be conveyed or the ground to be rendered more fertile. Loving Christ’s world with Christ’s love is utterly inseparable from achieving his purpose for us. Indeed, Christ said so. ["Hear O' Israel ... and your neighbour as yourself". ]

It is unlikely in the extreme that St Francis missed that point. His wording was not as the quote is now put, but he reportedly expressly gave his followers that message. (Finding actual rule of (year)1221, chapter 17 wording proves hard).

Words are necessary but not sufficient. An active Christian life MUST include Christ lived out in the experience and practice of the “protagonist”.

A possibly apocryphal story of a question from a biker to Billy Graham is relevant.
“Do you love me because you want to save me, or
do you want to save me because you love me?”
Our love MAY be reflected in words alone, but it’s more likely that our lives should reflect Christ wordlessly and form part of our active proclamation of him and his kingdom.
No?

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-205762 Jeff Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:51:23 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-205762 Jeff & Vince, You're both identifying the "in moderation" issue that plagues much of American Christianity. Too often, we passionately pursue one end and cause the pendulum to swing excessively far in one direction or the other. Our passion should not outstrip our diligence to be patient, wise, and balanced in our application of scripture. Jeff & Vince,
You’re both identifying the “in moderation” issue that plagues much of American Christianity. Too often, we passionately pursue one end and cause the pendulum to swing excessively far in one direction or the other. Our passion should not outstrip our diligence to be patient, wise, and balanced in our application of scripture.

]]> By: Vince http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-204918 Vince Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:57:46 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-204918 This post is very true. But I believe that we should preach the gospel not just by words, also with works. I am currently working on the book of James right now, and it is an affirmation that our lives should be affirming our faith. For faith without action is dead. But then again, what is our actions if in the first place we don't have faith? In the end, all we can conclude is that both should come at the same time. .-= Vince´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDisciplers/~3/i0cHnOzSgsA/" rel="nofollow">Sports Clinic: A Way To Reach Your Community</a> =-. This post is very true. But I believe that we should preach the gospel not just by words, also with works. I am currently working on the book of James right now, and it is an affirmation that our lives should be affirming our faith. For faith without action is dead.

But then again, what is our actions if in the first place we don’t have faith? In the end, all we can conclude is that both should come at the same time.
.-= Vince´s last blog ..Sports Clinic: A Way To Reach Your Community =-.

]]> By: Jeff Brinkman http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-203913 Jeff Brinkman Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:51:26 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-203913 Your comments are excellent, but we cannot swing to the other way, where we think the gospel is "telling" only. Helping the needy gives you the right to talk to them about Jesus. Word and actions go hand in hand. Yes there are many Christians who do the actions but do not share their faith. There are many others though who have inflicted much pain by "telling" everyone they see how it is without the accompanying acts of kindness and love. 1 Cor 13 is very neglected by many church people. Without the love, the words don't matter. My random thoughts. Keep up the good work. Your comments are excellent, but we cannot swing to the other way, where we think the gospel is “telling” only. Helping the needy gives you the right to talk to them about Jesus. Word and actions go hand in hand. Yes there are many Christians who do the actions but do not share their faith. There are many others though who have inflicted much pain by “telling” everyone they see how it is without the accompanying acts of kindness and love. 1 Cor 13 is very neglected by many church people. Without the love, the words don’t matter. My random thoughts. Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Clydene Dyer http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-170843 Clydene Dyer Sun, 03 May 2009 19:30:34 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-170843 Tahnk you for your enlightening comments on quote by St. Francis of Assisi. Tahnk you for your enlightening comments on quote by St. Francis of Assisi.

]]> By: jimbob http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-145686 jimbob Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:39:37 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-145686 A great book is The Trouble With Jesus. Let's do away with what I call "Christless Christianity" - note how the concept "separation of church and state" seems to miss Islam. Morality alone is not offensive but the ultimately moral one is.... A great book is The Trouble With Jesus. Let’s do away with what I call “Christless Christianity” – note how the concept “separation of church and state” seems to miss Islam. Morality alone is not offensive but the ultimately moral one is….

]]> By: Rose Coward http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-105779 Rose Coward Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:51:21 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-105779 Just heard a great quote from a caller on Way of The Master Radio. When it comes to preaching the Gospel, silence is NOT golden, it's YELLOW! Just heard a great quote from a caller on Way of The Master Radio. When it comes to preaching the Gospel, silence is NOT golden, it’s YELLOW!

]]> By: Amy Ables Lawson http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-24615 Amy Ables Lawson Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:24:50 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-24615 Thanks, Jeff. Well said. Thanks, Jeff. Well said.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/comment-page-1/#comment-24515 Jeff Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:39:09 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-and-use-words/#comment-24515 Todd, I read Wilberforce's book a few years ago. Excellent stuff, and very challenging. Would that we all think as deeply about how to engage our culture with the reality and truth of Christ as Wilberforce did his. Also, I <i>still</i> haven't seen the movie <a href="http://www.journeyguy.com/amazing-grace-opens-friday/" rel="nofollow"><i>Amazing Grace</i></a> about his life. Thanks for reminding me about him. I'll have to go rent it. Todd,
I read Wilberforce’s book a few years ago. Excellent stuff, and very challenging. Would that we all think as deeply about how to engage our culture with the reality and truth of Christ as Wilberforce did his.

Also, I still haven’t seen the movie Amazing Grace about his life. Thanks for reminding me about him. I’ll have to go rent it.

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