Devotion: Sharing Love = Sharing the Gospel

“Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words.”  ~St. Francis of Assisi

I’m a therapist at a hospital. Recently, we had an irritable, uncooperative patient who was putting everyone on her floor on edge. She yelled at every staff member who came into her room. She not-so-politely asked me to leave and not return.

At first, I thought of her as an inconvenience. When it was time for me to return to her room, I squared my shoulders, determined to approach her with less medical talk and more compassion. She responded like a flower opening in the sun. Her tone lightened and she dropped her defenses. When it was time for me to leave, she sweetly implored me, “Please don’t go. Stay with me a while.”

She became someone altogether different when she felt cherished.

Blinded as she was by understandable anxiety and insecurity, it was difficult for my sweet patient to realize the staff was there to take care of her. Until I took the time to show her some kindness, she wasn’t willing to receive my help.

In much the same way, it can be challenging to accept God’s love until you experience human love. When someone shows you love by treating you with kindness and compassion, it begins to click—this is what love feels like.

Let’s be honest—we rarely take the time to enter into someone else’s troubles and triumphs. It costs time and energy to truly, deeply care for another. Yet we all long to know someone authentically cares for us.

Genuine love for others cannot be faked or fabricated. It comes from an inward transformation facilitated by God’s love. The influence of God’s love produces a shift in our attention, moving it from ourselves to others. Through God’s Word, we learn what it means to deny ourselves for the sake of another person.

The gospel is the story of a King who loves His people so much that He makes the greatest sacrifice imaginable. In order to redeem them and give them eternal life, He gives the gift of His own Son. We are all God’s people. We have been given the gift of Jesus, an everlasting inheritance, and an even greater gift—fellowship with the King.

How can we begin to communicate this great gospel message? It begins with a reversal of focus. The needs of others must take priority over our own needs. Next, look for ways to communicate the love of God through tangible means.

Listen when others talk. Your kids, your co-workers, the cashier at the grocery store. Make eye contact. Move beyond small talk and enter into true conversation.

Give the gift of time. This can be as simple as stopping to greet your neighbor or as intimate as sitting with someone who feels alone.

Meet a physical need. Take your spouse lunch. Offer to babysit for that new mom. This assignment can get messy as it requires time, effort, and money. But it is a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Christ.

Enter into relationships without judgment. Meet people on level ground. It is not our job to correct others or preach to them. It takes a special kind of intimacy and relationship to speak the hard truth to someone.

Jesus listened. He offered his time. He met needs. He extended compassion instead of judgment. People followed him and listened to his words. Jesus demonstrated the gospel through his loving kindness before he became the gospel on the cross.

People want to know we love them before they care why we love them. Consider God’s loving kindness toward you, then go and share that love with someone else.

Loving Father, we thank You for Your extravagant and unconditional love. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the matchless grace You showed us through Your Son, Jesus. Open our eyes to those around us who need to experience the message of the gospel through our kindness. Grant us an extra measure of your love to share with them. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18 NIV)

“God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.” (Rom. 2:4 NIV)

Reach for More

Before you reach out to share God’s love with others, take a minute to consider His extravagant love for you. It is only through the power of God’s love that we can show others true, genuine love. Be on the lookout for someone in need of hope today. Perhaps someone came to mind as you read this. You can share the message of the gospel by listening, giving your time, or meeting someone’s need. Your kindness may remind someone how much they are truly loved and cherished by their heavenly Father.

Dear friends, we can do this. Be assured of God’s love and inspired to draw others to Him through your genuine love and kindness.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us about how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.