The Gospel According to You

I was cleaning out the inbox of one of my email accounts and found a poem I had sent to myself back in 2006. There was no author named, so I went searching on the poem's main phrase to see if I could find out who wrote it.

I found a couple different versions, one credited to Paul Gilbert, one to Arthur McPhee...neither an exact match for what was in my email, which I happen to prefer:

Men read and admire the Gospel of Christ

With its love so unfailing and true.

But what do they say and what do they think

Of the Gospel according to you?

You are writing each day a letter to men -

Take care that the writing is true;

‘Tis the only Gospel that some men will read,

That Gospel according to you.

It immediately brings to mind a song my wife has been singing for years as she presents talks and concerts around the country. It's on her fourth album, living letters of HOPE, written by Gordon Jensen and titled "You're the Only Jesus".

If not in you, I wonder where

Will they ever see the One who really cares?

If not from you, how will they find

There's One who heals the broken heart

And gives sight to the blind?

You're the only Jesus some will ever see

And you're the only words of life

Some will ever read

So let them see in you the One in whom

Is all they'll ever need

'Cause you're the only Jesus

Some will ever see

And if not you, I wonder who

Will show them love

And love alone can make things new?

If not from you, how will they learn

There's One who'll trade their hopelessness

And give joy in return?

You're the only Jesus some will ever see

And you're the only words of life

Some will ever read

So let them see in you the One in whom

Is all they'll ever need

'Cause you're the only Jesus

Some will ever see

So let Him shine, let Him show

Let them see Him in you

You've gotta let them know

'Cause you're the only Jesus

(You're the only Jesus)

You're the only Jesus some will ever see

https://youtu.be/2neQ5Hx0Hw0

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...we are Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20). And people pay far more attention to how we live than what we say. So let's get out there and live our lives so full of the Spirit that when someone bumps up against us, they can't help but get sloshed on.