The past couple of weeks Steve and I (Cindy) have been in the Middle East ministering, alongside others, to faithful workers of the Gospel. It was an honor to serve the Lord and other co-workers in Christ in this way. We fell in love with our fellow brothers and sisters over there and believe that all of our lives have been changed in a positive way to further help the cause of Christ.

How we wish we could take more trips like this in ministry—especially since we receive so many invitations and we care so much about all of you! But we lean upon God’s wisdom to show us exactly how and when we are to participate with Him in helping those He sends our way.

During this trip Dr David Ferguson www.greatcommandment.net was one of the teachers. We’d like to summarize for you some of what he taught which can be a lesson for us all—especially in our marriages.

David talked about some of the common hindrances to presenting the gospel. One of them is a principle we often teach through Marriage Missions: “We may be living out the only gospel message some people will ever witness.” That’s one reason why we need to communicate the gospel not only with our words, but with our very lives so our actions don’t overshadow what the Lord is saying to those He brings our way.

It tells us in the Bible in 1 John 3:16, “We know love by this—that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the Brethren.” Relating to this verse, Dr Ferguson pointed out that “We need to both SHARE the gospel and LIVE the gospel.” The Bible is both a Truthful Gospel, which points out: “He laid down His life for us” and a Relational Gospel, which says, “And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Too often our words to others are overshadowed by the contradictions they see in how we live our lives together. They sometimes look at us at times and think, “Why should I listen to a word he or she says to me about loving each other and the love Christ has for me and wants me to have for others when I look at how they treat each other and see just the opposite? Why would I want to pay attention to what they’re saying? It seems pretty hypocritical to me!”

As Dr Ferguson said, “The relational testimony of my life will either CONFIRM the truthfulness of the gospel or it will DISTRACT from the truthfulness of the Gospel.” People need to see that I’m willing to lay down my life and my own agenda for the sake of the gospel — to deny my own willful ways of doing things and give of myself on behalf of the “brethren” wherever I am — whether outside of my home, and especially inside of my home — with my spouse and family.

It’s not that we’re to let our spouse victimize us or enable their sinful ways to continue, but we’re to live out the ways of Christ in such a way that the words of the Bible ring true, “They will know us because of the love we show towards one another.”

It’s not that we have to “act” as if we’re perfect, as performers, so people will be more willing to listen to the gospel—but we are to live our lives in such a genuine way that it shows that what we say we TRULY believe. There’s truth in our actions as well as what we say.

It’s of little use (both to us and to the Lord) to live our lives one way in front of open doors and another way behind closed doors. Eventually that which is done in darkness is revealed in the Light of Christ! And at that point it can have a serious impact on the testimony of the Lord.

Being a follower of Christ is about living Christ’s ways whether we have a human “audience” or not. But we need to be aware of the fact that there is always a spiritual one. It’s tragic to think how we “entertain” the enemy of our faith and cause rejoicing whenever we hurt each other with our words and/or our actions! What’s even worse is to know that because God always sees us, how His heart must grieve whenever HE sees us hurt each other!

We pray that whether your spouse treats you as he or she should, that you’ll ask God to help you to stay true to what you know the Lord would want of you. The question is always, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” It will help you to live out the Gospel Message.

Pastor Rick Warren says, “There are only two reasons people don’t become Christians. (1) They’ve never met a Christian…and (2) they have.”

We pray you’ll consider this message and if you realize that you have not been LIVING the Gospel Message that you will repent of this inconsistency and will do what it takes to line your life up with the message of Christ. Not only will it be a blessing to your spouse and your family, but for others who need to see consistency with the Gospel lived out before them, as well as, and most importantly, to bless the heart of God!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and my ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

Our love and prayers are with you as together we strive to make our marriages the best they can be to the glory of God!

Cindy and Steve Wright

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