This morning I tweeted two quotes on my Twitter account:
“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence or learning.” – Frederick W. Faber
“A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” – D.L. Moody
I found both these in a book I read recently — a truly profound book entitled The Hole in our Gospel by Rich Stearns, President of World Vision USA.
After tweeting the two quotes, in my quiet time, I read Luke 5 and spent some time on verses 12 to 16 through Lectio Divina. Particularly Jesus’ words to the healed leper in verse 14: “Your cleansed and obedient life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done” – The Message.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, today, for some reason, and actually for a while now, the message that we ought to live lives of kindness, holiness and obedience rather than just telling the good news to others verbally has been coming at me from a number of different angles. Love is evangelism as Shane Claiborne claims, and lives of service and love to our neighbors near and far, similar to us and very dissimilar to us, is the only real way to get the message of Jesus across. It’s not about telling people that they’re going to hell unless they pray a little prayer that will set a ‘transaction’ of salvation into action. It’s about being good news to those people, here and now!
It’s about accepting the free gift of salvation that is ours through faith and grace, but then going on to bear the fruit suitable to such a salvation. Doing the work that our Father in heaven has set aside for us to do. It’s about heeding the warning of Jesus that without this fruit we’ll be in trouble with Him one day (Matthew 25).
Where can you be a shining light instead of a blaring horn today, giving testimony to what Jesus have done for you through acts of kindness, holiness and obedience? Go and bear fruit.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Mr. Cronje,
I have been a subscriber to your feed for a few months now, and am pleased to say that subscribing to your feed has truly been a blessing. This morning’s post has been an area in my own life that I have been struggling with. Not only am I not a horn in the fog, but I struggle with believing that my light so shines for the world to see Christ in me. The quote twitted from Faber really grabbed my attention!
I pray that your continued efforts according to the will of God, following Christ’s example remains for us all (believers and nonbelievers alike)!!
Thank you for shining your light in this way!
Grace and Peace be with you,
Echo
Wow Joseph!
That must be the most encouraging comment I have ever received on my writing. Thank you for making the time.
You know… I’m just a normal guy without any theological qualifications or any other ‘claim-to-fame’ who loves Jesus and loves writing. I’m far from perfect, but I’ve got all I need in a very real relationship with Jesus, the Christ.
As Mother Theresa said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Now, may my actions and fruit be just as helpful to the world as the words I type on my blog!
I hope to see you around here and to interact some more.
Take care,
Dries
Dear Mr. Conjre,
I have been moved beyond measure by what I have read from you today. I started out on the bookdisciple website and have ended up here at the Jesusfeed site. You truly have found great use of your talents and gifts from God.
I have always believed in letting my light shine, but your words have put a whole new spin on it for me…..
I am currently in a bible study called the Truth Project with some friends from church and I cannot wait to share some of your morsels of goodness with them. May the Lord bless you well, good and faithful servant.