By Works Alone
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. – James 3:13 (NIV)
The core of my Christian faith is that I don’t need to earn God’s love. It is a gift. I know this to be true all the way down to the soles of my shoes.
But publicly telling people “God loves you” doesn’t work as evangelism anymore. Talking about God’s love will not bring people into church because God’s love has gotten a bad name. Some time ago, a Pew study showed that when people under 30 were asked what word comes to mind when they think of church, 93% said: “meanies.”
Alright, there’s a possibility that I made that up. But the actual responses were much more depressing.
It’s a drag, but it’s true. Only telling people that God loves them doesn’t cut it.
We have to show them.
With handmade Pride banners, with a lift installed to the chancel, and gender-inclusive restrooms, and giving away land to a community garden, and putting solar panels on the roof, and crossing borders to stand with asylum seekers. With deeds done in humility born of wisdom, we have to show people what God’s love is.
That’s how people learn about the good news—if you live it out right before their eyes.
Prayer
Holy God, plant in our spirits a zeal for Your love, that we might declare it with our whole lives.
About the AuthorRev. John Edgerton is Senior Minister and CEO of Old South Church in Boston. He is the 21st Senior minister in the congregation’s over 350 year history.