The gospel appeals to the reasonable mind. It enlightens the understanding, and causes people to perceive for themselves the way of Jesus Christ. In teaching our friends, we are “painting a picture” of Jesus Christ. Through the power of the gospel, we are allowing them to see God through his Son. There are several specific ways the Scriptures teach that we may cause people to perceive Jesus Christ, and these are worthy of our careful consideration:
1. People are favorably impressed when they perceive a Christian’s “good works.” Acts of kindness and compassion, generosity, selflessness, and sacrificial love impress people when they see them. Many times these are the best introductions to Christianity that people can have. They may be more powerful than many sermons or class lessons. Edgar Guest wrote, “I’d Rather See a Sermon Than Hear One Any Day.” Emerson said, “What you do thunders so loudly in my ears that I cannot hear what you say.” Jesus said, “Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). This applies both individually and collectively. As individual lights for Jesus Christ, we are having an amazing influence. As a congregation, we are involved in a number of good works in this community and throughout the world. But these efforts are not an end in themselves. They are designed to allow people to perceive Jesus Christ, and in so doing, to have the opportunity to obey him.
2. People can perceive a certainty & confidence in our manner of thinking and speaking. “Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). As a Christian, do you speak with confidence or with uncertainty and doubt? Can people tell by the way you speak about important subjects that you are informed by a higher power? I am amazed at the way by which people of the Lord approach things like death and serious illness. It differs greatly from the way people of the world do so. When people perceive this difference, they understand that there is an influence in the Christian’s life greater than himself. People perceive Christ through us when we speak and think in a scriptural, confident manner.
3. People can perceive the value of God’s word by observing how Christian employees act. “Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Tit. 2:9-10). This teaches that Christian employees are different. They tend to demonstrate subjection and obedience to their employer, they tend to seek to please, not berate or speak badly of their boss, they are honest and trustworthy. These are the very traits wise employers look for in employees. And when the boss sees someone who exhibits these characteristics, he is looking at a Christ-like individual. In such an employee he sees or perceives Christ.
4. Sometimes God’s work in the lives of others can cause us to perceive the glorious nature of Christ and His church. Peter did not expect God to open the door of the gospel to the Gentiles, but he was amazed when he saw that God was doing just that. “And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). There have been many times when I have been amazed by the achievements of a person whom I underestimated. But I underestimated them because I did not take into account what God can do through them. When we perceive God working in the lives of those around us, we are perceiving and coming to appreciate God himself.
5. Careful, thoughtful Bible teaching and preaching can cause others to perceive the truth about Jesus and his church. I mentioned above that people are generally more moved by actions than by words. Yet words are important. Teaching and preaching have an important place. When preaching and teaching God’s word is done lovingly, thoughtfully and carefully, the power of God’s word can work, and it has amazing results. “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet” (John 4:19). People can perceive Christ in us when we respectfully teach them the word of God. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth..”
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
