Pastor, “Share the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words” isn’t enough.

You’ve seen it on a coffee mug, a missions banner, maybe a staff-retreat slide: “Share the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” We all understand the point. Feed the poor. Care for the widow and the orphan. That’s clearly what Jesus wants. But that little line has been used as a cudgel, and taken all the way, it’s a sermon of the serpent. This one’s going to be controversial. Here’s what’s underneath it, and how I answer it.

What the social gospel is

The social gospel reduces the gospel to social action and good works. Justice in society replaces God’s cosmic justice against sin, and the church becomes a well-meaning NGO. You’ve still got the building, the people, and the budget, but kindness is now the highest value instead of the gospel. You end up just being altruistic.

Here’s the pattern I’ve watched in many high-church denominations. First they stop believing Paul’s teaching. Then they disbelieve the authority of Scripture. Then they bake a new gospel for themselves, one without cosmic justice. And when eternal justice goes, social justice takes its place.

The serpent’s question

The serpent doesn’t need you to stop doing good. He just needs you to stop talking. His question: “Did God really say they need a preacher?” Paul answers it directly: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). The gospel is good news. News has to be told.

Step 1 — Watch where the slope leads

I remember when churches in the Minnesota Lutheran world started removing the authority of Scripture and imposing their own ideology on it. They began to decline. Funding declined. Many ended up leaning on government funding to keep their social services running, a nice little club helping people.

I also remember a buddy of mine preaching a great gospel message at a seminary there. Afterward, as I came to find out, maybe one or two of the professors actually believed in the physical resurrection of Christ. They went after him for referring to God as He and for saying Jesus is the only way. When the social gospel becomes the primary gospel, the problem is bigger than you’d imagine. And it doesn’t only happen out there. It creeps into historically orthodox, Nicene Creed churches too, whenever we put a bigger emphasis on social justice than on cosmic justice.

Step 2 — Do good, and always use words

Should we feed people, clothe people, help people? Obviously. That’s awesome and wonderful. But Paul said, “We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). It’s both-and: relationship and words, common grace and saving grace.

Think about the woman at the well. Jesus told her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). We have living water. A meal is a kindness. Living water is life. So it’s not “if necessary.” Always use words. Please, please use words.

Step 3 — Don’t enter a goodness contest

The modern version sounds like this: “I’m just going to let my light shine. I’m just going to be a nice person.” Be a good example, absolutely. But are we in a morality contest with the Mormons? Some of us might be losing. They’re really kind people, and they believe a false gospel. Being moral is true but insufficient. Lord knows I’m not good enough for my life to preach the gospel on its own. So I’d better use words.

Step 4 — Preach a red-hot gospel

If the sermon of the serpent has taken hold of your denomination or your church, start preaching a red-hot gospel every week. If you’re persecuted for it, be persecuted. If you need to move denominations, move denominations. We’re faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and His word. His presence is promised as we go and proclaim: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

And here’s the thing people miss: the gospel is justice. It’s the greatest justice there is, God dealing with the sin on our souls at the cross. Trading that for social justice alone isn’t compassion. It’s sweet nonsense.

Attach a clear gospel word to every act of service your church does. Not sometimes, not maybe, not even a little bit. Always use words. Whatever comes, the work of the Lord Jesus Christ is finished, and people need to hear it.