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Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary?‘Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.’ This quote is attributed to Francis of Assisi. But yes, as is often the case with quotations, this is not true according to Assisi connoisseurs.
Nor does it really matter who said it, the fact remains that this statement has become almost a lofty principle for many Christians. And the question, of course, is how we should we deal with it then.
It is a quote that has often bothered me because it seems to create a useless dichotomy, or contradiction, between speaking and doing. Moreover, the attitude behind it seems a bit arrogant, suggesting that those who practice the Gospel are more faithful to the faith than those who preach it.
So who are these Christians?
First, then, let’s see who these Christians who say this are. Can we find the Christians using this statement neatly in a specific denomination? At first, I thought so. I thought it would be especially prevalent in the more reformed churches. This was mostly because it has been my experience that many mission organisations that are mainly involved in practical humanitarian help find much of their supporters in traditional churches. And then when I also encounter people from these groups who use this winged statement, yes, than the matter comes full circle, doesn’t it?
Well, it’s not that simple. By now, I have been around in the Christian world long enough that I have seen this statement emerge from almost all denominations. I hear it in conservative evangelical circles, among Baptists, in the Restored Reformed Church, Reformed churches, and yes, even in Pentecostal churches.
So, too bad for us, but we cannot just neatly order them in a certain corner. This statement is common across the Christian world.
What you have, I want to have too!
Since my conversion, I have never really been able to keep my mouth shut about how wonderful my Jesus is! And I know that this has sometimes caused very uncomfortable situations. Especially in the beginning, I was often too sharp. This led to me once being addressed by a well-meaning brother. He said that evangelising should primarily be about your actions. Yes, “evangelise, with words if necessary,” he said. But he did not stop there. He could assure me that if people saw, through my actions, how much I love Jesus, they would naturally come to me. The attraction would become so great that people would say, “Jurgen, what is that you have? I want to have it too!”
Well, I can tell you that this has never happened to me in this way. And if we look around us now, we see the result of doing good, but not using words. In the Netherlands, we good Christians have worked our butts off. We have done a lot of good. But has Christianity grown in the Netherlands? If my dear brother was right about his advice, then surely, after years of good behaviour, we should now be welcoming masses of people into our churches? Surely we should at least be hearing on the streets that people are so heavily impressed by all these wonderful Christians and their kindness, love and supernatural urge to do good? “Oh dear Christians of the Netherlands, do tell us your secret, Who is your Guide? We want the same you have!”
Nonsense
Well, I suspect I don’t have to tell you that we haven’t seen this scenario. And of course, that’s not strange either. Let me explain.
If we look at our good works in society, we see that it is not only Christians who are doing something good. We have lots of organisations in the Netherlands doing good things. It is really not the case that someone who does not believe in the Lord cannot do good things. After all, you don’t need supernatural powers to get some groceries for your sick neighbour. We also see, for example, that non-believers can be very compassionate towards the homeless, junkies, the disabled and whatnot.
Admittedly, there is a difference between a good deed by an unbeliever and that of a Christian. The difference lies in the fact that the Christian wants to do good, or so it should be, to the glory of God. Officially, a Christian good-doer will always point to his or her Lord. In that sense, it should be the case that a Christian will not want to take the credits. But then again, it is obviously not the case that the assisted person can see what is going on in someone’s heart. Many unbelieving people can also be said to have behaved altruistically, after all, you cannot read someone’s deepest motivations from their pretty eyes.
A Special Twist
I still find it crazy that there are so many Christians who continue to fool themselves with this statement. How can it be that we can allow a statement—coined by someone who probably already died—taking such an important position in our lives. In other words, the statement of someone who is dead now takes precedence over the command of the Living One, Who said, “Go therefore, teach all the nations” Matthew 28:19
That’s quite an odd twist, isn’t it? Now it would be different if this statement would have a sound Biblical basis. But it doesn’t. Indeed, I believe the statement is at its core un-Biblical.
Romans 10:13-14; 17
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Some then like to cite the words of James to ‘prove’ that we should show the gospel above all else.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Usually, you don’t need to spend a lot of words on this because most people already have a clue that this text does not support their idea. James was worried about Christians who taught that, above all, they should believe very hard and not worry about the practical side of their faith. Reading James’ letter, I almost get the impression that he was very much annoyed with Christians from whom nothing emanated. Brave at the front row of church on Sundays, but during the week there was no sign of it.
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James was not talking about keeping your mouth shut. James was talking about the whole picture of our Christian walk. Everything we do must be in tune with the Lord.
Why Actually?
1. Powerlessness
Why do we keep hearing this persistent, un-Biblical statement? I fear it may have to do with the inability of some Christians to put their faith into words. Putting your faith into words is not an option.
1 Peter 3:15
but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear
Ask any football supporter why they like football, and I assure you that most of them can tell you. Granted, not everyone is bold or talks easily. Nor does the Bible teach that we are all evangelists or teachers. But we should not think that people can simply smell that we are Christians. It seems to me that something goes wrong if after ten years your close colleague still does not know that you are a believer. Accountability doesn’t have to be very complicated.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
2. Shame
Another reason could also be embarrassment or shame. Initially, I think some are afraid of not being taken seriously. Now imagine being the only one at that birthday party, in the workplace or in the classroom who believes in Jesus. We would rather make up an excuse than actually admit colours. “Well you know, my neighbour is just not ready for it yet. Until then, I will testify by my actions …”
We are ashamed of the fact that we seem to be left out. But can we perhaps turn it around? I have sometimes talked to people about God and in the process turned the tables. I reacted surprised that they did not believe in a Creator. They were completely overwhelmed and started making excuses as to why they did not believe in God.
3. Reconciliatory Behaviour
This third one is a bit less obvious. What do I mean by ‘conciliatory behaviour’? Well, actually, it sounds more complicated than it is. We have all heard the accusation that Christians are hypocritical. And admittedly, I have seen Christians who seemed to be a completely different person on Sundays than during the week. Indeed, they were very much liked by the congregation on the Sunday mornings and people could not believe how they behaved during the week.
Not surprisingly, of course, the world then blames them. We can also call this reproach the ‘words-without-deeds’ reproach. Very quickly, we then see Christians rising up who start to show an enormous compensatory behaviour. On birthdays, it is then quickly said that they are totally different. Not in so many words, of course. No, but we are soon talking along with the group about the wrong Christian. “Well you know, that’s not how most Christians are!” or “He doesn’t act the way Jesus acted.”
We are so busy trying to prove ourselves that we start exhibiting the opposite: Deeds without words. We are all too eager to show the world that we are actually realy good and certainly not whiners. The adage, deeds not words, has become a new motto.
And there you have it, we fell into the trap of going extreem. We have gone from one extreme to the other.
How to proceed then?
Over the decades, we have shown that we can be quite nice. That has been a good investment. In general, Christians are known as a trustworthy group of people. Except for the various clubs of leftist and liberal woke people, most people in the West do not view Christians in a very negative way.
Let us work and preach together towards the promise of Jesus’ return.
Matthew 24:14 CEB
This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come.
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Anyway, thanks very much for watching.
I close with the words from 2 Peter 1:2
grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord
