July 13th, 2026
By: Brandy Wallis
A Gospel They Can See
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35
When we think about sharing the Gospel, our minds often go to preaching, teaching, or having intentional conversations about Jesus. Those things are absolutely essential. After all, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). But before many people ever hear the Gospel with their ears, they witness it with their eyes.
For countless people, you may be the first Bible they ever "read."
The way we love, serve, forgive, speak, and respond to difficult circumstances paints a picture of the God we claim to follow. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to either reflect Christ or obscure Him.
Jesus never intended for His followers to simply know His teachings. He intended for us to embody them. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Notice that He didn't say our good works save people. Rather, our lives point people toward the One who does. Throughout Scripture, believers are repeatedly called to imitate Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us."
Paul echoes this challenge in Philippians 2:3-5, reminding us to put others before ourselves, adopting the very mindset of Christ—one marked by humility and selfless love.
So what does living like Jesus actually look like?
It looks like showing kindness to someone who can offer nothing in return.
It looks like extending forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier.
It looks like serving quietly when no one is watching.
It looks like feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, welcoming the lonely, visiting the sick, encouraging the discouraged, and praying for those who are hurting.
It looks like speaking truth with grace instead of responding with anger.
It looks like choosing integrity when compromise would be more convenient.
It looks like generosity with our finances, our time, our talents, and our attention.
These aren't simply acts of kindness. They are visible demonstrations of the invisible character of God.
James reminds us that "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). Our actions do not earn salvation, but they reveal a heart that has truly been transformed by it.
One of the most beautiful examples comes from 1 Peter 2:12: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable... so that... they may see your good deeds and glorify God."
People are watching.
Your coworkers notice how you respond under pressure.
Your neighbors observe how you treat your family.
The cashier remembers your patience.
The struggling single mom notices your willingness to help.
The lonely elderly gentleman remembers the conversation you took time to have.
These moments may seem ordinary to us, but they become extraordinary when God uses them to reveal His love.
Every smile offered with sincerity, every meal shared, every act of compassion, every encouraging word, every hour spent serving someone else becomes another brushstroke painting a picture of Jesus.
The world desperately needs to hear the Gospel, but it also needs to see it.
May our lives reflect the heart of Christ so clearly that people are drawn not to us, but to Him. May our actions consistently proclaim the message our lips confess: that Jesus changes lives.
After all, sometimes the most powerful sermon isn't preached from a platform.
It's lived!
A Gospel They Can See
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35
When we think about sharing the Gospel, our minds often go to preaching, teaching, or having intentional conversations about Jesus. Those things are absolutely essential. After all, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). But before many people ever hear the Gospel with their ears, they witness it with their eyes.
For countless people, you may be the first Bible they ever "read."
The way we love, serve, forgive, speak, and respond to difficult circumstances paints a picture of the God we claim to follow. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to either reflect Christ or obscure Him.
Jesus never intended for His followers to simply know His teachings. He intended for us to embody them. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Notice that He didn't say our good works save people. Rather, our lives point people toward the One who does. Throughout Scripture, believers are repeatedly called to imitate Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us."
Paul echoes this challenge in Philippians 2:3-5, reminding us to put others before ourselves, adopting the very mindset of Christ—one marked by humility and selfless love.
So what does living like Jesus actually look like?
It looks like showing kindness to someone who can offer nothing in return.
It looks like extending forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier.
It looks like serving quietly when no one is watching.
It looks like feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, welcoming the lonely, visiting the sick, encouraging the discouraged, and praying for those who are hurting.
It looks like speaking truth with grace instead of responding with anger.
It looks like choosing integrity when compromise would be more convenient.
It looks like generosity with our finances, our time, our talents, and our attention.
These aren't simply acts of kindness. They are visible demonstrations of the invisible character of God.
James reminds us that "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). Our actions do not earn salvation, but they reveal a heart that has truly been transformed by it.
One of the most beautiful examples comes from 1 Peter 2:12: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable... so that... they may see your good deeds and glorify God."
People are watching.
Your coworkers notice how you respond under pressure.
Your neighbors observe how you treat your family.
The cashier remembers your patience.
The struggling single mom notices your willingness to help.
The lonely elderly gentleman remembers the conversation you took time to have.
These moments may seem ordinary to us, but they become extraordinary when God uses them to reveal His love.
Every smile offered with sincerity, every meal shared, every act of compassion, every encouraging word, every hour spent serving someone else becomes another brushstroke painting a picture of Jesus.
The world desperately needs to hear the Gospel, but it also needs to see it.
May our lives reflect the heart of Christ so clearly that people are drawn not to us, but to Him. May our actions consistently proclaim the message our lips confess: that Jesus changes lives.
After all, sometimes the most powerful sermon isn't preached from a platform.
It's lived!
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