"Use Words When neccessay."

[AndOne]

"Preach the gospel - use words when neccessary"

Ever hear that one? I think St. Francis of Assisi said that - but I may be wrong.

Regardless - Although I get the point - I think it is a lie straight from the pit of hell. Words are absolutely neccessary - otherwise how are people going to know what they are saved from. To me its a cop out....

What do you all think?

 

[Bulldog]

It is a St. Francis of Assisi quote. I think it's usually quoted as:

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. (probably semantics, but oh well)​

 

[Foundthelight]

Paul said it best:

Rom 10:13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Rom 10:14 But how are they to 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?

 

[ClementofRome]

I understand the concern, but I think that we miss the point. I understand it to say, "live the gospel out in your entire life and people will see Christ in you....when they ask about your salt and light....tell them"

I hardly think 'the pit of hell" (but I have been wrong before).

 

[Macrina]

I personally like the quote, but think that it can be wrongly used to justify the opinion that words are not only unecessary, they are bad. (ie, "quit yer preachin'") The way I take the concept of that quote is not that words are bad or even unecessary (I'm a preacher, after all), but rather that we sometims de-emphasize the action component of faith and witness to our detriment. Many Christians forget that actions speak very loudly, and this clever little saying is a reminder that who we are speaks (at least) as loudly as what we say. I do not take it to literally mean that the gospel doesn't need to be proclaimed verbally -- I believe it is more a matter of poetic license, creative statement to make a point.

 

[Bulldog]

I understand the concern, but I think that we miss the point. I understand it to say, "live the gospel out in your entire life and people will see Christ in you....when they ask about your salt and light....tell them"

That's what I was thinking as well.

 

[rnmomof7]

I think that if one believes that their good works if observed will save anyone they deceive themselves.

That is a very man centered gospel.
If any mans salvation rests on my works he will never be saved.

It is NOT our works that draw men to the gospel, it is the grace of God opening eyes and ears to hear.
The gospel is to be preached. It is the gospel that brings faith not our works. (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God)

The biblical command is to go and tell.

There is a saying that our lives may be the only gospel people will ever see.
My live can save no one. I can live out the gospel with Gods grace, but no one is saved or lost because of my works or word.

Our good works are to flow from our faith and they are ordained of God.. not us .
May our lives always reflect He that lives in us.. but never be deceived there is a substitution for the Good News

That is my not so humble opinion

 

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

I doubt that anyone here thinks that their good works will save a person. However, I believe the point is that if our Christian walk is contradictory to our verbal profession of faith, then we give the unregenerate yet another excuse to not seek the Lord.

C.H. Spurgeon preached a wonderful sermon on this topic called How Saints May Help the Devil.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=102204184616

I understand the quote to say as follows. Preach the Gospel, but also watch your walk with the Lord.

 

[rnmomof7]

I doubt that anyone here thinks that their good works will save a person. However, I believe the point is that if our Christian walk is contradictory to our verbal profession of faith, then we give the unregenerate yet another excuse to not seek the Lord.

C.H. Spurgeon preached a wonderful sermon on this topic called How Saints May Help the Devil.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonsspeaker&sermonID=102204184616

I understand the quote to say as follows. Preach the Gospel, but also watch your walk with the Lord.

Unfortunately that is not a universal belief. There are many that hear we can "love one to Christ"

Only Grace can being someone to Christ.
I have heard it said of some religious persons that they did not have to "give the gospel" , they lived it.
That is self deception.

 

[AndOne]

I think that if one believes that their good works if observed will save anyone they deceive themselves.

That is a very man centered gospel.
If any mans salvation rests on my works he will never be saved.

It is NOT our works that draw men to the gospel, it is the grace of God opening eyes and ears to hear.
The gospel is to be preached. It is the gospel that brings faith not our works. (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God)

The biblical command is to go and tell.

There is a saying that our lives may be the only gospel people will ever see.
My live can save no one. I can live out the gospel with Gods grace, but no one is saved or lost because of my works or word.

Our good works are to flow from our faith and they are ordained of God.. not us .
May our lives always reflect He that lives in us.. but never be deceived there is a substitution for the Good News

That is my not so humble opinion

Good points, Terri -

You are right on the money here.

Look - I know St. Francis may not have intended for his quote to be taken the way I did - but let's face it - many people in this day and age do take it that way and use it as an excuse - to not go all the way in delivering the message. If I'm honest - I'm guilty of it myself - and its something I'm working on and praying for strength to defeat.

 

[Blackhawk]

I personally like the quote, but think that it can be wrongly used to justify the opinion that words are not only unecessary, they are bad. (ie, "quit yer preachin'") The way I take the concept of that quote is not that words are bad or even unecessary (I'm a preacher, after all), but rather that we sometims de-emphasize the action component of faith and witness to our detriment. Many Christians forget that actions speak very loudly, and this clever little saying is a reminder that who we are speaks (at least) as loudly as what we say. I do not take it to literally mean that the gospel doesn't need to be proclaimed verbally -- I believe it is more a matter of poetic license, creative statement to make a point.

I think you are absolutely right. The quote is not about not preaching the gospel using words. I think it is a healthy reminder that we preach the gospel not ONLY in what we say but how we live. I think his point is very much akin to that of James. Faith without works is dead.

 

[Blackhawk]

I have heard it said of some religious persons that they did not have to "give the gospel" , they lived it.
That is self deception.

True but I think this quote of Francis is objecting to the opposite self deception of "I only have to give it. Not live it."