To say or not to say....

I once asked a wise person why God did not have a Facebook account.

He responded that He does, explaining that since Gen 1:26 says "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..." that God's Facebook is each of His follower's account since we are made in His image and likeness! Something to think about.

On another front I thought I'd look into the words I hear frequently attributed to St. Francis (no relation):

“Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

Click on the link for an interesting perspective from a Franciscan.

I personally feel uncomfortable when I hear that expression since the context I hear it in seems often to be "anti-Gospel" to some degree. I.E. don't actually talk about your Christianity, since somebody might be offended, you will be intolerant, or you're just ashamed of the Gospel since Christians have a bad image to he world and have done their share of bad things.

Those who use it seem to be pointing 99% of the time to our just being "good works doers".

There is truth in this perspective. But we do have to be both sensitive and prepared to talk.

Paul writes in Rom 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Eph 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Also as the above link shows the actual statement by St. Francis was:

In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”

If I read this correctly he was saying everybody should do good deeds but not everybody should preach. I think that is a good rule. All Christians are called to love.

I like to think that Faith, Hope and Love are the 3 dimensions of our spiritual body. Just like height, width and depth are physical body dimensions.

Gal 5:5-6 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

also in: 1 Cor 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Faith is essential as seen above in Romans. Hope and Faith are illustrated in Heb 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

But Love is how our life in Christ is played out in the world. It's the evidence that we are Christians.

This is especially true as we love one another.
John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

As for the original it probably makes sense that we not all preach the Gospel.


But we should all be ready to speak of our faith:

1 Peter 3:15-17 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Not all are called to preach, but we should all know fully the gospel and be about to explain it.

1 Cor 12:27-31 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Cor 15:1-8 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

This is the Gospel....