The Gospel of our Lives

By Larry Pasley

 
We're writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By the deeds that we do and the words that we say;
Men read what we write, whether faithless or true,
Say, what is the gospel according to you?

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    The gospel is God’s power for salvation. Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
     The gospel is the good news of what Jesus did for us. 1 Corinthians 15:1-3  Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ²  by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. ³  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
     The gospel must be obeyed to benefit us. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9  in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
     But, the above poem is a biblical concept.
     Our conduct has a lot to do with people’s response to what we say. 1 Peter 3:1-4  Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, ²  when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. ³  Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- ⁴  rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
     The way we live our lives makes the doctrine more appealing to others. Titus 2:9-14  Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰  not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. ¹¹  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹²  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
     May we strive to live our lives in such a way that those outside of Christ are drawn to God because of those lives. Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

- Larry Pasley serves as a minister with the Jackson Street Church of Christ in Alexandria, LA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.JacksonStAlex.com