Reflecting the Gospel

Perhaps the best-known and most widely-distributed gospel tract of the 1800s was called “Come to Jesus.” Written by a British pastor named Newman Hall, the tract was handed out to hundreds of thousands of soldiers during the American Civil War. After the war, Hall became embroiled in a theological dispute that grew  heated. He used his literary ability to write a response which dissected, not just the opposing point of view, but those who held and promoted it.

After he was done writing, Hall asked a friend to read it before he had it printed and distributed. The friend agreed that it was a powerful and pointed piece and asked if he had a title for it yet. When Hall replied that he did not and was looking for ideas, the friend said, “Why don’t you call it ‘Go to the Devil’ by the author of ‘Come to Jesus’?”

The way we treat other people should be a reflection of the grace that God extended to us in allowing us to become part of His family. We have a responsibility as His children to not bring dishonor on the family name. One of the reasons the world is not being reached is because of the failure of Christians to live up to their faith.

Today’s Gospel Declaration Principle:

We should never treat others in such a way that the hope of the gospel message is obscured by our actions.