“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:17 (KJV)
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting a dear brother in the Lord in another country, and our conversation turned to the topic of friendship evangelism. During our discussion, I heard a sentiment that has echoed in numerous conversations with fellow believers:
"In the workplace and in my various areas of life, I try to conduct myself in such a way that people will notice there is something different about me."
This statement bears a striking resemblance to a famous quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:
"Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."
However, this idea appears to run counter to a plain reading of Romans 10:13-14:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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?”
This passage emphasizes that faith comes through hearing the Word of God, underscoring that it cannot be solely nurtured by observing a colleague's strong work ethic or a friend who displays the fruits of the Spirit.
Moreover, as Christians, we may sometimes overestimate how effectively we represent Christ in our behavior. Like non-believers, we might hold ourselves in higher regard than we should.
Consider the testimony of an elder's wife who worked alongside a devout Muslim coworker. She was deeply moved by the constant virtues displayed by her colleague. This Muslim exhibited an inexhaustible patience with her students, was honest to a fault and strove to work to the best of her ability even when it seemed no one was watching.
Or reflect on my own experience working closely with a professional from one of the Big 4 consulting firms who happened to be a Mormon. This individual's integrity and work ethic stood out exemplary and as a cut above the thousands of professionals I’d personally encountered in close to twenty years of contracting for more than a dozen companies. My point here is that when it comes to workplace testimonies, those advocating for a works-based salvation, will often appear to be more compelling than the average Christian.
In a recent conversation with a fellow believer, he shared that the people he is ministering to "won't care what he knows" until they "know that he cares." However, this perspective is not at all supported by scripture. The story of Jonah and Nineveh, for instance, challenges this notion. Jonah scarcely desired the repentance of Nineveh, let alone aimed to build relationships with the city's inhabitants. Yet look what God wrought in response to the faithful proclamation of one weary and reluctant servant!
Therefore, we should not rely solely on our conduct to communicate the truth of the Gospel, nor do we need to build a relationship with those whom we're trying to reach.
O Christian, please do not excuse yourself from this plain exhortation. Do not for a moment read ‘preacher’ in Romans 10:14 and think this does not apply to you. As it pertains to personal witnessing to individuals, we are all, both men and women, in a very real sense called to preach and to be preachers. Are we not a royal priesthood?
Gone are the days when baptism and citizenship went hand in hand and everyone was required to attend Lord’s Day services. We live in a day and age when many will never darken the door of a church. So I beg you not to stand afar off and pray that strangers may attend a Lord’s Day service tomorrow when there is some good you can yet do for their souls today.
Remember, friends, that Satan's favorite word is the same as the fool's: Tomorrow.