As a Christian believer, are we called to defend the Gospel or live It?

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   Pool Of Thoughtsposted 12 years ago

   As a Christian believer, are we called to defend the Gospel or live It?
   
   Is it our job as a Christian to defend the Gospel, or does It speak for Itself if Christ is living in us? I find too many times we think its our duty to intellectually prove and dispute every assault against the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, Paul said that he didn't come in the excellency of man's wisdom, speaking in enticing words, but in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost. How is this done exactly?

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   Glassoposted 11 years ago

   Living out the Gospel is part of defending it! In order to do this, we need to spend time in prayer, reading the Scripture, fellowship with other believers, going to church. actions speak louder than words. Faith without works is dead! The heavens declare the Glory of God -- Psalm 19:1.

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   SwordofManticorEposted 11 years ago

   I see no reason to defend something that does not need to be defended. I do however live the gospel by God's grace. Not out of fear, but out of Love for my Father and my fellow man.

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      God bless you. I trust that you are writing or sharing this info, at every given opportunity. God bless.

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   SimpleJoysposted 11 years ago

   As St Francis of Assisi once said "Preach the Gospel always and sometimes use words".

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      SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sadly most Christians follow another gospel other than the one Paul brought us.

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   Deepes Mindposted 11 years ago

   We are called to live the Gospel. The Gospel is spread by the lives we are supposed to lead. I think defending the Gospel is what has lead to a lot of conflicts because some people are offensive when defending the Gospel

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   Seek-n-Findposted 11 years ago

   Both!  The way we live our life "preaches" (is a witness) of the Gospel of the Kingdom and it is not just words (though words are a part of it--the power of life being in the tongue we are to speak life and bless people) but demonstrations of power.  This can mean following what Jesus told us to do in His model prayer..."Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven."  What is it like in heaven?  There is no sickness, no division, no lies, no strife, no evil, etc. We are to partner with God to bind the Kingdom of Darkness and release the Kingdom of Heaven.  The problem is when people's words don't match with the way they live their life.  What is the greatest power?  Love!  Love never fails.  We should be the vessel of God's grace and truth but only rooted in love.  We are to be ministers of reconciliation and then means loving people to God--not condemning them to hell.  Good question!!!

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   Lady Guinevereposted 11 years ago

   I personally do not believe in Paul's words because his contradicts Jesus's most times. Jesus just told his disciples to go out and tell people about his works and miracles.  He also told them, not us,  that if those they were telling did not want to hear them that the disciples should just walk away and move on.  When did we all become disciples?  Jesus never told us that we were or are.  We are not to go around judging people at all or converting them to the way we think.  That is up to Jesus and God, but they are within us ALL and all the laws are within us too. We don't need to defend anything, just live it.

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   simplegospelposted 11 years ago

   you cant live something you are not standing for. you can not defend something you are not living. they are the same thing. faith without works is dead. being saved without telling somebody about christ or defending, etc is reaping all the benefits of salvation but not putting any hours of work in.

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   manatita44posted 11 years ago

   Thanks Pool of Thought. Wonderful question.
   The Christ came and spoke of a Kingdom, His Father's Kingdom. He also outlined laws or rules in order to get there. The scriptures promise us eternal life or salvation, if you like, if we live in harmony with God's laws. Those who accept this message, as you say, are believers. I prefer to say disciples or apostles.
   
   The Apostle accepts the Christ as his/her bridge to God and as such strives to carry out His precepts in order to please Him and to be with Him in this Kingdom of which Christ. One needs to be an imitator of Christ, as Paul, the Apostle mentions. In the act of letting our light shine, we will affect others. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. There is no need to defend, but a greater need to serve with an unceasing faith. It is in service that we elevate others. Hope this helps.

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