The Gospel is Not Word and Deeds, but Word Only!

Quite often people quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words.” However, St. Francis never said this.

The closest that researchers have found of something similar was when he was upset with some Franciscan priests for preaching without permission but to encourage them, he said, “Let all the brothers (Franciscans) … preach by their deeds.”

The truth of the Word of God is that the Gospel stands alone!

It is that Jesus, sent by His Father from Heaven, lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross for sin, was buried, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. If anyone believes and turns from sin and trusts Jesus Christ alone for salvation, he will receive forgiveness and inherit eternal life (John 3 and 1 Corinthians 15).

The Gospel stands alone!

Good deeds are the result of salvation through Christ through the Gospel (Ephesians 2:8-9, 10).

We are to trust God to build into our lives the character qualities taught in His Word through our obedience to Christ. These qualities are not the Gospel in themselves, but they serve as proof that we have turned to faith in Christ. But the Gospel stands alone!