The Gospel Message: Should we fit in or stand out?

Quit trying to fit in when you were made to stand out. Check out 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 #iDevo #YFA #LivingLeadership

We understand as believers that we are charged to share the Gospel, the good news that God sent his son to die on the cross for us and redeem those who believe in him. Sometimes though it is tough to share the Gospel. We can be surrounded by unsaved friends and if we do get the opportunity to share it seems like it can fall on deaf ears. We live in a world that wants us to conform and stay in the box they have assigned us to which is not necessarily what God wants us to do.

Paul though gives a great example of sharing the Gospel in 1 Thessalonians. You see first the Gospel was not just about words but there was a change that was occurring in the Thessalonian church. There was a life changing power behind those words and a deep conviction for people to change their lives (first half of verse 5). The second half of the verse sets the why behind what happened. Paul and the other believers lived among them and set an example for them to follow. They did not fit in and look like everyone else. The example of living their lives stood out and caused lives to be changes. People saw Paul living out his faith and it changed them, even to the point that it says the Thessalonian church started doing the same thing. They imitated the example they saw and stood out and became an example throughout the region.

In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary use words.” Choose today to not simply fit in but to stand out like you were created to be so that people can see Christ in you and through you.