Let Your Light Shine as You May, Lifestyle Witnessing Fails

                                                  
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

So reads God's Word.  I love this verse.  It makes very clear the point that the gospel is the power of God for salvation and not some way to live that will draw others to Christ. Yet some feel that they can just "live out the gospel". What an arrogant thought anyhow.  The God of the universe in the person of Jesus Christ humbled Himself, came to Earth, took our sins upon Himself on the cross though He Himself was without sin and died for us. If people won't follow Him though He lived a perfect life, what makes some think they can get people to follow Him by the way they live? I'm sure some are ready to pounce on me with Matthew 5:16, In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Great verse but it's not the gospel message.  Of course we are to do good works and let our light shine.  But neither are the gospel.  Why does it fail? Let me get more specific.  Picture this.  Your little light is shining and you're doing great works.  You work hard at your job.  At home your lawn is prestinely manicured, your car is washed&waxed and your house is immaculate.  Along comes your non-believing neighbor and says, wow all this guy cares about is his house, car and job.  Some christian he is.  And you can't win.  This non-believing neighbor walks by the house of the next christian who doesn't upkeep his things so well.  Car's dirty, lawn is a bit unkempt, and the inside homeschool is a bit disheveled.  Mr. non-believer says, wow this guy doesn't care about the stuff that his God has blessed him with.  He doesn't take care of it at all.  You just can't please the non believer with your lifestyle, good or bad.  They have no understanding of the sanctification process of believers anyhow.  Now for a practical example from Scripture of where all this is coming from lets look at Matthew 11:18-19.  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”  What they wanted to see in Christ, they had already rejected in John the Baptist's ministry!  So while we are busy living the life we are called to live in Christ, a life of loving one's neighbor and being in service to others,  the gospel message needs to be verbalized as well.  When others see your light shining and ask you why, tell them the message that they so desperately need to hear.  People have to know that they are headed to Hell apart from Christ and that He is the only way to be saved through repentance and faith in Him alone.  Don't fall for the trap of living out the gospel and just loving people into the pit of Eternal torment.  Share the good news.  It is to be verbalized(or written) but it has to be shared not only demonstrated. 

Romans 10:14

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Thanks to Depraved Wretch for the use of the top image.