“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God…” (1 Thess 1:8-9).
The transformation in the lives of those converted in Thessalonica was so evident that everyone was talking about it. Paul would arrive at new cities and, as he started to preach the gospel, people would immediately identify with what he was saying: “Oh, this is what we heard about in Thessalonica! This is the message that caused them to leave their idols behind!” Their example spoke volumes that could not have been put into words. Paul was just reaping the harvest of the seeds that were first sown through the shining lights of the brethren in Thessalonica.
While teaching and preaching are essential parts of spreading the gospel, it is often true that our actions speak louder than our words. If our example is what it should be, many opportunities will arise to teach the gospel that otherwise may never have shown themselves. We must seriously consider what message our everyday conduct is sending to the world around us. Our actions speak louder than our words whether they are speaking good or evil. Our lives are either adorning the doctrine of Christ (Tit 2:10) or making it tasteless to the world around us (Matt 5:13).
The world should see something different about us… not in a self-righteous, unloving, stiff-necked type of way, but in a refreshing display of hope, peace, love, and joy. They should see an unwavering commitment to honesty and truth, a selfless service, a sincere humility. They should know there is something different about us even before we talk to them about Christ.
The gospel may seem foolish to many (1 Cor 1:23-24). We may be slandered and ridiculed for our faith. Yet, if the world around us stumbles, may it be over the gospel and not our misrepresentation of it. “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:12).