What if the reason some people struggle to believe is not because they have never heard the Word of God, but because they have never seen it lived out clearly in front of them?
We often repeat the phrase “action speaks louder than words” without fully realizing how deeply biblical that truth actually is, especially when it comes to sharing our faith.
In a world saturated with opinions, sermons, posts, and noise, people are not only listening for truth, they are watching for it, quietly asking whether the message of Christ truly changes a life or whether it is simply something people talk about on Sundays.
During one of my quiet times, I was reminded of a verse we often hear in church, sometimes so often that we forget to pause and really let it confront us. Scripture says that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), but Paul does not stop there. He follows it with a piercing question: “And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
This passage is not meant to produce guilt, but it is meant to awaken responsibility. It reminds us that faith does not grow in isolation. People cannot respond to a message they have never encountered, and many will never encounter it unless someone is willing to step into their world and make Christ known.
Jesus Himself made this clear when He gave what we now call the Great Commission. He did not ask us, His followers, to stay comfortable, informed, or spiritually entertained. He commanded us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). This command goes far beyond speaking words. It includes walking with people, modeling obedience, and helping others learn what it means to follow Christ in real, everyday life.
This truth became deeply personal to me as I reflected on the people God used to shape my faith. While many have shared the gospel with me, planting seeds through words, there is one person who helped me understand faith in a way that was not only spoken, but embodied.
Through her life, I learned that the gospel is most powerful when it is both proclaimed and practiced. This reflection led me to three important truths that I believe are essential for every believer who desires to share Christ effectively in today’s world.
1. Faith Grows When the Gospel Is Both Heard and Seen
Sharing the gospel begins with believing it, but it does not end there. If our lives contradict the message we proclaim, the gospel loses credibility in the eyes of those watching us. This does not mean we must be perfect or flawless. It means that our lives should point consistently toward the One we claim to follow.
During my quiet time, I found myself thinking about the person who truly helped me understand what faith looks like when it is lived authentically. My pastor has been that example for me, not because she preaches perfectly or has everything figured out, but because her life quietly echoes the faith she proclaims. She does not merely talk about trusting God; she lives as if she genuinely believes that God is faithful.
I have always noticed her joy, a joy that does not feel forced or dependent on circumstances. She is bright, calm, and sincere, the kind of person whose presence alone feels reassuring. There is an unspoken confidence about her that seems to say, “God has me, no matter what.” This kind of joy is not something you can manufacture. It flows naturally from a deep trust in God, and people notice it even when they cannot explain it.
The Bible reminds us that believers are called to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Light does not announce itself; it simply shines. In the same way, a life rooted in Christ naturally reveals Him to others. When faith is seen alongside being heard, it becomes tangible and believable, especially to those who are searching but hesitant.
2. The Gospel Is Most Powerful When Love Shows Up Before Words Do
One of the greatest barriers to faith for many people is not disbelief, but disappointment. They have heard about God’s love, but they have not experienced it through His people. This is why presence, kindness, and genuine care often speak louder than sermons ever could.
I experienced this truth personally during a difficult season in my life. When my car got flooded, I was overwhelmed, stressed, and unsure of what to do next. Without being asked, my pastor traveled from our hometown straight to the city on the very same day to help me. She did not just send a message or offer advice from a distance. She showed up, bringing her family with her, offering help, comfort, and peace that I honestly could not comprehend at the time.
What struck me most was not just her willingness to help, but the way she did it. There was no sense of obligation or expectation. Her kindness was genuine, quiet, and deeply reassuring. In that moment, I felt supported not only by a person, but by the love of God expressed through her actions. It reminded me of James 2:17, which says that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
This experience taught me that living out the gospel often means being attentive to needs before we are invited to meet them. It means being present, compassionate, and willing to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of love.
When people encounter this kind of faith, it opens their hearts to hear the message behind it. Love prepares the soil where the Word of God can take root.
3. Lasting Fruit Comes From Focusing on the Source, Not the Spotlight
It is easy to confuse faithfulness with productivity, especially in a culture that values visible results. However, the Christian life was never meant to be about performance. It is about connection. Jesus reminds us in John 15 that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Fruit is not something we force; it is something that grows naturally when we remain connected to the source.
One of the most powerful lessons I learned from my pastor is that shining brightly does not come from striving to appear spiritual or successful. It comes from being deeply rooted in Christ. She is someone who confidently claims God’s provision, who speaks about what God has done and what He will do with joy and trust. Her faith is not loud, but it is steady. Even during challenging seasons in our church, when uncertainty and difficulty arise, she remains positive in a way that does not deny reality but continually points people back to Christ.
I have often found myself wondering how she can remain hopeful during crises, and the answer is always the same. Her focus is not on the problem, the pressure, or the outcome. Her focus is on God. This posture of trust has taught me that our role is not to manufacture fruit, but to stay connected to the One who produces it.
This perspective is freeing. It reminds us that sharing the gospel is not about impressing others or proving our faith through constant activity. It is about being filled first, allowing God to work in us before He works through us. Only then can we bear fruit that is healthy, lasting, and life-giving.
Living the Gospel in a Watching World
The world does not need more perfect Christians or louder voices. It needs believers whose lives reflect the grace, joy, and love of Christ in ordinary, tangible ways. People may forget what we say, but they rarely forget how we made them feel, especially when our actions reflect the heart of God.
This reflection is not meant to encourage a focus on works or self-effort. On the contrary, it is a reminder that genuine fruit flows naturally from a life rooted in Christ. When we prioritize our relationship with God, when we allow Him to fill us daily through prayer, Scripture, and obedience, our lives begin to overflow in ways we may not even notice. And often, it is those unnoticed moments that God uses most powerfully to draw others to Himself.
As believers, we are called to share the gospel boldly, but also to live it faithfully. We are invited to be both messengers and models, proclaiming Christ with our words while reflecting Him through our lives. May we continually seek to be filled by God so that when we pour out, it is His love, His joy, and His truth that others encounter through us.
In a world longing for hope, may our lives quietly yet clearly point back to the Source of all faith, reminding others that the gospel is not only something to be believed, but something to be lived.
Faithfully,
Yani
Let’s Grow Together in Faith
Faith grows best when it is nurtured in community, through shared stories, honest reflection, and everyday reminders to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.
- Like this post if it encouraged you or reminded you of someone who lives out their faith quietly and faithfully.
- Comment below and share a testimony of someone you have seen live out faith in action. It could be a pastor, a friend, a family member, or even a stranger whose life reflected Christ in a powerful way. Your story may be the encouragement someone else needs today.
- Share this post with someone who might be strengthened by this reminder that faith is not only spoken, but lived.
- Subscribe to receive future reflections, testimonies, and faith-centered encouragement straight to your inbox. Together, we can continue to grow, learn, and walk in a faith that points others to Christ.
May we continue to be a community that not only hears the Word, but lives it out daily—letting our lives quietly testify that God is real, present, and faithfully at work.
Leave a Reply