An interesting thing takes place at the beginning of some of Paul’s letters. He speaks of how the faith of those he is writing to is talked about far and wide. In a time with no way to communicate outside of word of mouth and letters transported by hand, these groups of people had faith, so impactful word of it was able to spread everywhere with ease. Their lives were so dedicated to God’s work and had changed so much from their past that others could not help but take notice. Should that not be the case for Christians today? Shouldn’t our lives of faith cause those around us to take notice? Is your faith talked about by those you encounter regularly? Do they even know you are a person of faith?
Romans 1:8 (ESV)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
1 Thessalonians 1:8–10 (ESV)
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Everywhere Paul went, he would receive reports about the faith of these people. Others sharing their story with him before he could speak of them. It is an excellent testament to one’s faith when others are able to see it through the way they live and speak about it. It’s an even greater testimony when that faith is not only talked about locally but spreads to far off regions as theirs did. Their faith made such an impact we are still talking about it today two thousand years later.
The Apostle Peter wrote that we should always be ready to answer anyone who asks us about our faith. This implies that the way we live should first cause people to take notice of our faith. Which would, in turn, cause them to ask about the faith we have giving us the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Peter even shows us that the way we live should be able to impact those closest to us without words. He wrote to wives with husbands who did not believe telling them that their godly lives alone could win their spouses. A verse that does not only apply to wives but all Christians. Our godly lifestyles should have an impact on the lost and start them down a path towards God when they won’t even listen to the Gospel message.
1 Peter 3:1–2 (ESV)
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
It’s should not be our goal for others to notice our faith. Having that goal would make us no better than the Pharisees. Who’s actions Jesus spoke directly against. Because everything they did in “service to God” was so others would take notice of them. The goal of every Christian should be to serve God to the best of their ability. Something that when truly done will naturally be noticed by others.
Matthew 6:5–6 (ESV)
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV)
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
No Christian should try to purposely gain attention for their faith by doing things to force people to notice their deeds. However, when someone truly lives out God’s word it is hard not to notice it in some way. Because God’s word directly instructs us to be different from the world. We are called to be loving, kind, gentle, patient, merciful, forgiving, humble, slow to anger, and so much more.
John 13:34 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV)
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:2 (ESV)
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Galatians 5:22 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Luke 6:36 (ESV)
36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
James 1:19 (ESV)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
All those aspects of Christian life will often contradict the world around us. Those that Paul and Peter wrote to lived out those verses daily, as well as the many other verses like them. That is why people everywhere spoke of their faith. It was different than what they were used to seeing. It’s the same reason they needed to be ready to answer questions because people could not understand why they acted the way they did. Their lives were even so different they could win souls without words.
Does any of that sound similar to your life? Do others speak about your faith and the way your life has changed since you came to know Christ? Are you often asked about the hope you have in God? Has the way you live for God had a positive impact on those around you? I hope you can answer yes to those questions but if not don’t worry.
It’s never to late start living your life for God in such a way that others cannot help but notice. Dedicate yourself to God’s word. Learn how to live the way He has called His people to live. Become a doer of the word and not a hear only. No one will ever know you heard the word if you don’t live it out as a part of your daily life.
James 1:22 (ESV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Please remember that the Christian life is not about being seen as holy or special. Really it should not even cause the person of faith to be noticed. Our lives should cause God to be seen through us with all the focus on Him.
This article is in no way meant to cause you to do things to purposefully make others notice your faith. It is simply meant to cause you to see that a life lived for God is something others should take notice of. If those you interact with regularly don’t notice your faith or even realize you are a Christian you need to question if you are truly aligning your life with God’s word. Our actions tell who we really are and as Christians, our actions should always point to our faith.
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