The phrase “actions speak louder than words” has been around for centuries. Even St. Francis of Assisi used a version of the phrase to inspire some friars by saying, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

As believers in Christ, God’s Word has called all followers of Christ to minister to each other through their actions. A life of action reveals the very essence of a person. When a person professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ, others begin to believe that profession through their actions.

In I John 3:16-18 it talks about how we have come to know love. It tells us that we should lay down our lives for others and show the world through our deeds that we have God's love in us. God’s high calling, as a follower of Jesus Christ, is to reflect the very character of Christ through the way we live our lives.

Outside the community of faith, there is another group of people in the world that needs to experience God’s love and compassion. As God’s representatives, believers have the privilege of showing God’s kindness to others by faithfully living in obedience to the call of Christ.

One way of demonstrating God’s love to those who have not heard the Gospel is through servant evangelism. In the book Conspiracy of Kindness, Steve Sjogren defines servant evangelism as demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached. These humble acts of kindness are a way to create an open door to develop a trusting relationship with a neighbor or stranger in the community in order to provide an opportunity to share the message of the Gospel.

Here are ten ways to demonstrate the kindness of God to a community:

1. Tailgating at a sporting event: offer free hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, etc to the community before the game/event.

2. Coffee/ hot chocolate giveaway during a Christmas parade

3. Bottled water/ Gatorade giveaway after team practice

4. Clean a local business or public restroom

5. Adopt a Park- help with specific projects

6. Trash pick up after a community event

7. Free Christmas gift wrapping

8. Free car wash

9. Pay Laundromat fees for customers using the washers and dryers

10. Neighborhood block party

People within the community are watching to see how professing Christians are living out their faith as individuals and as a community of believers. For some people within the community, a simple act of kindness may be the very action that speaks to the heart of that person which provides an opportunity to share God’s purpose for their life.

The challenge for every believer is to “always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).  So, grab a couple “friends” in Jesus and try out a simple act of kindness!  For more information on servant evangelism, visit www.servantevangelism.com.