You may be the only Bible they read

You may be the only Bible they read February 24, 2015

By Bill Peel

The workplace is filled with spiritually hungry people. Most of them, however, won’t connect their own emptiness with their need for God unless they can see the difference Christ makes in a Christian’s life.

Jesus could have designed a no-fail distribution strategy for the gospel, but instead He charged His followers to be His ambassadors — to show and tell others how to find fulfillment and eternal life in Him.

Research shows that up to 90 percent of people who come to Christ as adults do so because of a relationship with one or more Christians outside the church.That’s what makes the workplace so strategic. Through relationships we build at work, we have the opportunity to show coworkers how Christ makes life meaningful every day.

People must not only hear but feel, see, and experience the grace of God we speak about.
—Jim Cymbala

Coworkers notice how we live. They see our joy as we work. They notice our peace in the midst of disappointment. And they note our graciousness toward people who try our patience. The adage is true: We may be the only Bible nonbelievers read.

By accepting people where they are spiritually and demonstrating what its like to be a child of God, the Holy Spirit can use our lives to attract others to Christ.

So, as His followers today, how do you think we’re doing with our assignment to be Christ’s ambassadors? Is our faith attractive to others? Do we make the gospel believable by how we live?

How are you doing? On a scale of one (not doing so well) to five (doing great!), score yourself on the following questions:

  • When people observe how you live and work, do they see the benefits of being a child of God?
  • Do your actions match your words? Do they attest to the truth of what you believe?
  • Do people see that your faith makes a positive difference in your life and work?

Now matter what your score, take heart: It is not perfection that piques the curiosity about our faitha good thing since none of us is perfect. We all fail as Christ’s ambassadors. And when we fail, we need to remind ourselves that honest, authentic followers of Christwho know the power of God’s grace firsthand and admit our mistakeswill earn the respect and ear of others.

Adapted from Workplace Grace: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at Work by Bill Peel and Walt Larimore, Available at Amazon.


Copyright 2015 Center for Faith and Work. Image: CFW.


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