“Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
God has put specific people in your life for a reason. You are God’s representative to them! If you don’t tell them about God’s love and offer of salvation, then who will?
God put you in your unique circumstances to share the Gospel with your relatives, your friends, your neighbors, and your co-workers. They need to hear that God has a purpose for them and wants them to be part of his family. But he’s not going to write it in the sky for them. He’s not going to send them a telegram. He’s already sent you. He wants you to learn to be more like him so you can show others what he’s like—forgiving, compassionate, patient, and faithful.
The Bible is very clear about this: “Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work . . . If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NCV).
We need Christians who walk the walk and talk the talk; you’ve heard that cliché before, but it really is that simple. Faithful Christians don’t just say what they believe. They try to live so that others see the hope and joy that come from knowing Jesus. They are “show and tell” Christians. They tell the Gospel with their mouths, and they show the Gospel with their lives.
“Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17 NLT).
The most dangerous prayer you could pray is two words: “Use me.” I dare you to pray it! I dare you to pray, “God, use me! Use me to show your love to people who don’t know that you love them. Use me to show your purpose to people who don’t know that you have a purpose for their lives.”
That kind of prayer can change the world—but the change starts in our communities and with the people we know and love.
They won’t know unless we show them.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
Do you find it easier to tell others what you believe or to show it? How are you doing both in your life right now?
You are God’s representative to the people around you. What are the responsibilities of a representative?
Pray the prayer in today’s devotional, but make it personal. Insert the names of specific people in your life who need to hear the Gospel.
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Faithful Christians don’t just say what they believe in. They try to live so that others see the hope and joy that come from knowing Jesus. Read more about changing the world with the Gospel in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
40 Days of Community – 2023, Community, Knowing God, Evangelism, Salvation, God’s Family, Integrity, God’s Love, Colossians 3, 1 Thessalonians 4
Broadcast Series: 40 Days of Community – 2023
Sermon Series: 40 Days of Community
Sermon: 016202_Reaching Out Together
