LET YOUR LIFE PREACH CHRIST TO OTHERS

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JULY 08, 2022

TOPIC: LET YOUR LIFE PREACH CHRIST TO OTHERS

BY T. O. BANSO

“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, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter 3:1-2 New King James Version).

Only Jesus saves (Acts 4:10-12; 16:31). But people cannot be saved unless they hear and believe the message of salvation. And this is not possible until somebody preaches to them.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14-15 New King James Version).

We must preach Christ with the words of mouth either by standing physically before people or using technology through the television, radio, or the internet. This is very important.

But in addition, our lives must preach Christ. Sometimes, our lives can, especially among people who know us, aid or hinder the verbal preaching of the gospel or the preaching of the Word of God through other means such as sharing of tracts. If there is a contradiction between the Jesus that we preach and how we live our lives, it could raise doubts and questions in the hearts of our audience.

Nobody is perfect but if you are born again, ensure that you yield your life to the control of the Holy Spirit, obey the Word of God, and live a Christ-honouring life. Galatians 5:25 says if we live in the Spirit, we should also walk in the Spirit. Similarly, 1 Peter 4:1-2 says, “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (New King James Version).

Good works or deeds cannot save anyone but we are saved to do good works or deeds. Jesus says we should let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Seek to live in a way that people will not see you as a hypocrite – someone who preaches something but lives the opposite. Jesus said the scribes and the Pharisees didn’t practise what they taught (Matthew 23:3). People do not just hear your sermons; they also watch your life. Is your life preaching Christ? Does your life bring people to Christ or drive them away?

Jesus indicted the scribes and Pharisees, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Matthew 23:15 New King James Version).

Let your life attract people to Christ, not repel them. In 1 Corinthians 7:16, Paul asked if a believing wife or husband knew if by not leaving an unbelieving spouse, who still wanted the marriage, she/he would save the spouse, obviously by the lifestyle of the believing spouse. In other words, the Christian spouse could become the means of saving his unbeliever partner. But that would never be possible if the Christian partner is living like a devil in the home! Such a lifestyle does not preach Christ.

The Apostle Peter also talks about how the Christian life of a wife can influence her spouse to come to Christ. “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, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter 3:1-2 New King James Version).

This should not be limited to marriage. Every Christian should live a life that preaches Christ everywhere. People, especially non-believers, should see the difference between them and us, which is Christ. if we join non-believers to sin, how can we turn around and preach Christ to them and think they will believe us? While the message is true, there is a problem with the messenger! We have become a hindrance to them. Malachi 2:8 says of the corrupt priests of Israel, “‘But you have departed from the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,’ Says the LORD of hosts” (New King James Version).

Don’t let your life give occasion to the enemies to blaspheme God (2 Samuel 12:14). Also, avoid whatever will cause anyone to sin even if what you’re doing is not necessarily a sin (Romans 14:20-21). As much as possible, don’t be the reason another believer, especially a young or weak believer, stumbles or is offended (Romans 14:13, 20).

Jesus says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6 New King James Version). Mark 9:42 records the same thing.

Be sensitive to how you live, knowing that your life affects others. Let your life reflect the teachings of Christ. Let it be an expression of what the Bible recommends so that if people follow your example, they will make heaven. Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him, just as he also imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Earlier in 1 Corinthians 4:16, he urged them to imitate him. Can you be confident to say that? Will people make heaven if they imitate you?

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: My life will not hinder the Gospel that I preach in Jesus’ name. Holy Spirit, help me to imitate Christ. Enable me to live a Christ-centred life that people can follow and make heaven. Empower me to live a life that preaches Christ to others. Let me not, by how I live, hinder anyone from coming into the Kingdom of God. I pray that many will surrender their lives to Jesus as I preach the Word of God.

(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org