What Can We Preach to Others?

I guess I am writing the extroverts here of which I am one.  But let me work on this one We often want to give others advice in the Christian life. Usually, they do not want to hear. What can we preach to others?

I see two barriers we must cross. The first is love- see I Peter 4:8.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Or in I Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

Peter and Paul are not talking about love as a gimmick.  True love and loving men with God’s love is life changing. May we accept God’s model to help us get there.

Love carries us far, but we also appear as false if we have not experience the path we urge on another.

We must focus on what we have experienced. Have we experienced God’s love? Then let us speak to it. Have we been cut to the core by the command to love our neighbors. Speak to that. We ought not reach any farther than we have already tread. Life on life is our path.

I Peter 3:15 is also good to note:

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

What Can We Preach or What Should We Preach?

Gentleness and respect are part of loving them. When people ask, we tend to say too much and drive people away. People who ask for a cup of water should not get the fire hose from us.

We have the word of life, but we must respect those who see things differently.

Life on life with love are our paths. May we bless the world and not force anything on them. Many people are defensive. Let’s not push but let light shine in a world that deeply needs God’s love.

Planting seeds like just letting people know we believe can be a first step.  Let’s raise the cross and give people a chance with love.