Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.
― St. Francis of Assisi
Over the years of my theology and walk with Christ my perspective of this quote has changed over and over again.
At first I loved the quote. It sounds really great.
Then as I got into a more legalistic theology I thought it was worthless to not use words. For Jesus is the only way and the only way to Jesus is words.
So back and forth I've done with this quote. The more I walk with God the more I wrestle with my maker.
But one thing I have come to realize, and this too has hit me again and again in so many different ways I can't control anything except myself. When I first wrote the letter over a year and a half ago it was coming from a place of hurt. But the wound has healed and the truth remains but without the bitterness.
Not just Christians, but people, tend to try to convince people to agree with their beliefs. We try to persuade people that our way is the best way. I've learned over time that this is an expression of our brokenness. An expression of our insecurity.
We need people to agree with us because it confirms our beliefs. We need to feel like we are on the right path and one way to do that is to find community who agrees.
This is not the way Jesus lived.
Jesus was the only human in the history of the world who knew exactly who He was, Why He was here, and what He believed.
Jesus didn't have to try to convince people or persuade people He simply was who He was.
As I look back on this quote from Francis of Assisi I find an inner peace at work.
Jesus had the ability to hang with strippers and villains because He knew who He was. He didn't have to beat them over the head with rules and things because He knew who He was.
He had the ability to completely love and accept everyone as they are where they are. Jesus didn't have anything to prove. He didn't need the public eye to agree, He had the Father's eyes, which were well pleased. Jesus didn't need the church community to back Him. He knew what He believed and who He was, or rather, is.
Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.
I completely agree with this statement once again.
I agree we shouldn't have an agenda with our love. I agree we shouldn't have secret motives with our love. I agree we shouldn't have benchmarks and goals and achievements with our love. When we come face to face with a nonbeliever our mind shouldn't switch to "ok it's up to me to save this person so I need to begin infiltrating their lives by showing them love until I am able to shove Jesus down their throat."
If we believe the teachings of Jesus are the best way to live our lives then we will live according to them whether anyone is looking or not. If we are living according to the teachings whether anyone is looking or not we should have no problem genuinely loving any stranger we meet. We shouldn't have to switch to "evangelism mode" We would already be stuck on "love mode."
At that point we would be able to go wherever darkness is knowing that God knows our hearts.
And so I am able to eat food offered to idols without having to state a clause to the people around me. God knows my heart. So I am able to go to that place and shine love without an agenda. And so I am able to go to an abortion clinic with a friend, I am able to go to a gay wedding, I am able to go to a bar, I am able to go to a casino, I am able to go to any concert, I am able to go to any movie, I am able to go anywhere knowing that I bring the light.
I can't save anyone, That business is up to the Holy Spirit. God knows where I stand. He knows my heart. I am called to show love, truth, grace, and mercy and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit who loves this person more than I can measure.
So Jesus teaches us not to pray in public, not to separate ourselves. Not to do anything for the opinions of people. Instead do it in secret so that it is only for our Father in Heaven, The only judge that matters, the only opinion.
Darkness can't extinguish light it doesn't work that way. Light always conquers dark. There should be no place on this earth that Christians can't go. Darkness has no power over light. Do we truly believe what Jesus said?
Sigur Rós - Rembihnútur
― St. Francis of Assisi
Over the years of my theology and walk with Christ my perspective of this quote has changed over and over again.
At first I loved the quote. It sounds really great.
Then as I got into a more legalistic theology I thought it was worthless to not use words. For Jesus is the only way and the only way to Jesus is words.
So back and forth I've done with this quote. The more I walk with God the more I wrestle with my maker.
But one thing I have come to realize, and this too has hit me again and again in so many different ways I can't control anything except myself. When I first wrote the letter over a year and a half ago it was coming from a place of hurt. But the wound has healed and the truth remains but without the bitterness.
Not just Christians, but people, tend to try to convince people to agree with their beliefs. We try to persuade people that our way is the best way. I've learned over time that this is an expression of our brokenness. An expression of our insecurity.
We need people to agree with us because it confirms our beliefs. We need to feel like we are on the right path and one way to do that is to find community who agrees.
This is not the way Jesus lived.
Jesus was the only human in the history of the world who knew exactly who He was, Why He was here, and what He believed.
Jesus didn't have to try to convince people or persuade people He simply was who He was.
As I look back on this quote from Francis of Assisi I find an inner peace at work.
Jesus had the ability to hang with strippers and villains because He knew who He was. He didn't have to beat them over the head with rules and things because He knew who He was.
He had the ability to completely love and accept everyone as they are where they are. Jesus didn't have anything to prove. He didn't need the public eye to agree, He had the Father's eyes, which were well pleased. Jesus didn't need the church community to back Him. He knew what He believed and who He was, or rather, is.
Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.
I completely agree with this statement once again.
I agree we shouldn't have an agenda with our love. I agree we shouldn't have secret motives with our love. I agree we shouldn't have benchmarks and goals and achievements with our love. When we come face to face with a nonbeliever our mind shouldn't switch to "ok it's up to me to save this person so I need to begin infiltrating their lives by showing them love until I am able to shove Jesus down their throat."
If we believe the teachings of Jesus are the best way to live our lives then we will live according to them whether anyone is looking or not. If we are living according to the teachings whether anyone is looking or not we should have no problem genuinely loving any stranger we meet. We shouldn't have to switch to "evangelism mode" We would already be stuck on "love mode."
At that point we would be able to go wherever darkness is knowing that God knows our hearts.
And so I am able to eat food offered to idols without having to state a clause to the people around me. God knows my heart. So I am able to go to that place and shine love without an agenda. And so I am able to go to an abortion clinic with a friend, I am able to go to a gay wedding, I am able to go to a bar, I am able to go to a casino, I am able to go to any concert, I am able to go to any movie, I am able to go anywhere knowing that I bring the light.
I can't save anyone, That business is up to the Holy Spirit. God knows where I stand. He knows my heart. I am called to show love, truth, grace, and mercy and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit who loves this person more than I can measure.
So Jesus teaches us not to pray in public, not to separate ourselves. Not to do anything for the opinions of people. Instead do it in secret so that it is only for our Father in Heaven, The only judge that matters, the only opinion.
Darkness can't extinguish light it doesn't work that way. Light always conquers dark. There should be no place on this earth that Christians can't go. Darkness has no power over light. Do we truly believe what Jesus said?
Sigur Rós - Rembihnútur