How to Be a Christian: Living the Gospel

Introduction: The Big Question

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we’re diving into one of the most important questions: How do you be a Christian? Sounds simple, right? But let’s be honest—it’s not always as easy as it sounds. You can’t just say, “I believe!” and expect everything to fall into place. If it were that simple, we’d all be walking around with halos by now.

So let’s talk about it—how do we really live out the gospel? How do we show the world what it looks like to be a Christian? To start, we need to address one big hurdle that stands in our way: Satan.

Satan’s Favorite Trick: “Don’t Tell Me What To Do!”

Satan’s been playing the same game since the beginning of time—whispering in our ears, convincing us that we don’t need anyone telling us what to do. “You’re the boss of you,” he says. “You don’t need rules. You’re just fine the way you are.”

And let’s be real: we kind of like that idea, don’t we? Who doesn’t want to be their own boss? We don’t like being told what we need. And that’s exactly the attitude Satan wants to push into our hearts. This is the mindset that makes it hard to accept God’s commands, which are really just guidelines to living our best, most fulfilled life.

But here’s the deal: Jesus didn’t come to tell us how to live just to make us feel bad or burdened. He came because He loves us and wants to show us the way to true joy, peace, and purpose. The problem is, our hearts are stubborn! We’re like that kid who doesn’t want to listen to the teacher. But the truth is—when we follow Christ’s teachings, we’re actually setting ourselves up for the best life possible. The best way to spread the gospel isn’t through force—it’s through living it.

The Best Way to Spread the Gospel: Be Christ-Like

You’ve heard the saying, “Talk the talk and walk the walk,” right? Well, being a Christian isn’t just about talking about the gospel—it’s about living it. The best way to spread the good news isn’t by standing on a street corner shouting, “Repent!” or by handing out tracts like candy. It’s by being Christ-like.

Don’t panic—this doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It’s not about having all the answers or memorizing the Bible word-for-word. It’s about living out the message of Christ. The gospel is more than just words; it’s a way of life. It’s the light of the world, and let’s be honest, this world could really use more light. If you’ve seen the news lately, you know what I’m talking about.

When we live like Christ, we’re showing the world something they desperately need: love, grace, and truth. When you love people when they’re hard to love, when you forgive the unforgivable, when you turn the other cheek instead of striking back, you’re showing them the gospel in action. And guess what? The world needs that. It needs to see what real love and forgiveness look like. And when they see that in you, they’ll begin to understand the heart of the gospel.

The Truth About Forcing the Gospel

Now, let’s talk about something we all need to hear: Don’t force the gospel on people. I know, it sounds weird coming from a sermon, right? But here’s the deal—when we try to force the gospel down someone’s throat, we’re actually pushing them further away.

Have you ever had someone try to force you to do something? Maybe your mom kept asking you to clean your room, or someone kept telling you about their new diet, and all you wanted to do was run in the other direction. We all have that “don’t tell me what to do” reflex. It’s just human nature! And guess what? The same thing happens when we try to force the gospel onto others.

When we approach someone with the attitude of, “You need to hear this, and you need to hear it NOW!” people are less likely to listen. In fact, they’re probably going to put up walls and tune us out. I mean, when was the last time you changed your mind because someone yelled at you? Exactly.

The truth is, the gospel is good news, not bad news. It’s not a burden to carry—it’s a blessing! But when we force it on others, it starts to feel like a weight they have to bear. Instead, let them see it in how we live—how we love, forgive, serve, and show grace. That’s the light they’re looking for.

How Jesus Did It: Living the Gospel

Look at how Jesus shared the gospel. He didn’t corner people and scream, “Repent or burn!” He didn’t try to force anyone to follow Him. Instead, He lived the truth. He showed people what real love and grace looked like. He invited people into a relationship with Him, not into a list of rules to follow.

That’s our model. We’re not called to force the gospel. We’re called to live it, to be it. And when we do, people will start asking, “What’s different about you?” And that’s when we get to share the good news—not because we have to, but because we want to. We don’t need to shove the gospel into people’s faces; we just need to live it out. Our actions will speak louder than our words ever could.

Conclusion: Living the Gospel Every Day

So, how do we be a Christian? It’s pretty simple: live like Christ. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers—it’s about being faithful and letting our lives be a reflection of His love and truth. When we live the gospel in action, we show the world what true light looks like, and they can’t help but be drawn to it.

Let’s remember: we don’t have to force the gospel. We don’t have to shout it from the rooftops or hit people over the head with Bible verses. We just have to live it. And as we do, people will start to see the difference in us. They’ll see something they can’t deny—something that points straight to Jesus.

Let’s pray,

Father, help us to live the gospel every day. Help us to be more like Jesus in our actions, our words, and our hearts. Fill us with Your love, Your grace, and Your truth, so we can shine Your light in a world that so desperately needs it. Thank You for calling us to be a part of Your kingdom. We don’t have to be perfect, just faithful. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Go out and live the gospel, my friends. The world is waiting to see what Jesus looks like in you.