Scripture reveals a clear way the Gospel is to be presented to those in the world. Let’s take a look!
“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)
- Not only with words- this reveals that there are in fact words to be spoke, but they must not be dead words, they must be accompanied by something?
- With power- here is what is to accompany the words, its power! But what kind of power? “The Holy Spirit gave you full assurance”, that’s right, words empowered by the anointing of the Holy Spirit!
- The way we lived- these empowered words were not just present in that moment they were embedded in the messengers daily lives. Their lives were a true witness of the Glory of God! They walked the walk, and the power of the Spirit of Truth was evident in their walk!
- From the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you- this is the conviction of the Holy Spirit- what they spoke and how they lived brought conviction to those around them. The Holy Spirit brings a merciful, tender, yet confronting sense of repentance to the hearts of those who encounter such messengers of the Kingdom!
Friends, a life lived as shown above releases a fragrance to those around it. However this fragrance provokes two possible responses with it. Scripture says, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-17)
No matter the response the call is still the same, live Christ-like wherever the Lord takes you, by letting the words you speak align with the life you live!