words required

While I appreciate the sentiment of living a Christ-like life, actions alone are not sufficient to be His witness and to make disciples. Here's an excerpt from J.D. Greear's Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary:

"Have you ever heard that statement (attributed to Francis of Assisi), 'Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words'? How do you explain the gospel without using words? That’s like saying, 'Tell me your phone number. If necessary, use digits.'

"Your phone number is digits. The gospel is the words announcing what Christ has done.

"People can’t look at our lives and know the story of Christ. They may see glimpses of the kindness of Christ, but expecting them to get the gospel by watching us would be like trying to gather information from a newscast with the sound turned off."

HT:BEW