Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! – Psalm 34:8
My husband and I recently spent a weekend in Atlanta to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the prestigious King and Duke restaurant for dinner despite the pricey menu because the Food Network channel had featured this as a, “must-try,” place. The positive endorsement of other chefs made as eager to try it. Our faith lives are much the same. The everyday way we live our lives will either be a positive or negative endorsement for the gospel.
Most of us are familiar with the story of the woman at the well. Jesus offers her Living water that once drunk will quench her thirst eternally. At first the woman thinks Jesus is speaking of physical thirst, but comes to realize Jesus is speaking of her spiritual needs. Once she accepts the gift of salvation through faith, she simply can’t keep what Christ had done a secret; and for those of us who have also placed our faith in Christ neither should we.
John 4:39 says, “Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony…” The Samaritan woman was living out the gospel of a changed life in front of her neighbors and they couldn’t help but be drawn to Jesus as well. When we experience grace, forgiveness, and taste for ourselves what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ, we’ll want to help others to experience it as well.
When we respond with love when treated unfairly, when we extend mercy when it’s not deserved, and when we have peace no matter our current circumstances we are leading others to the cross. We’re living out the very grace that is at work in our own lives. We all must ask ourselves, “If someone looked at just our lives, would they then want to “taste” the gospel for themselves?”
Lord, help us to live our lives in a way that leads others to You. Help us to realize that the choices we make every day have an eternal impact.
Jessica Chenoweth is a writer and speaker passionate about helping men and women to live out an authentic faith rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ. You can connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.