The Strongest Argument for the Gospel
Have you ever tried skydiving? Imagine standing at the edge of the plane, parachute strapped on, looking out at the open sky. The instructor assures you it’s safe—countless others have jumped without issue. But you’re hesitant. You demand 100% certainty, absolute proof before you jump. The instructor’s response? “That’s not how it works. You have enough reason to trust.”
Tim Keller, in The Reason for God, describes this as hard rationalism—the need for absolute proof to believe something. In reality, we make decisions based on evidence and trust. We don’t need 100% certainty.
In Galatians, Paul’s apostleship and message are under scrutiny. The teachers question whether his gospel aligns with the apostles in Jerusalem or if he made it up himself. Paul’s response: the gospel he preaches isn’t man’s gospel. It’s God’s, and Jesus himself taught it to him. Paul’s transformation is the evidence, and, similarly, our transformation is the strongest argument for the gospel.
Who We Were
Each of us has a backstory. Before becoming a Christian, we were different. It’s not about having a dramatic story, but rather about recognising that our lives before Christ reveal the gospel’s power to change us. Paul’s testimony is striking: once a zealous persecutor of Christians, he was radically transformed by God. Similarly, many of us might not have a “crazy” past, but our transformation is just as powerful. Whether we were rule-breakers or rule-keepers, we all needed God’s grace. What people need to see is the power of the gospel to transform lives.
What God Was Doing
Our transformation is not about us—it’s about what God has done. Paul emphasizes that God set him apart before he was born, and it’s the same for each of us. God chose us, not because of anything exceptional we’ve done, but because of his grace. This grace is the beauty of the gospel. It’s humbling to think that the Creator of the universe pursued us, chose us, and sent His Son to die for us. This is the heart of our testimony, and it makes the gospel irresistible. As Blaise Pascal said, “The cure is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect; next, make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show them that it is.” It’s God’s grace that makes the gospel attractive.
What God is Doing
When we realise who we were and who we are by God’s grace, sharing the gospel becomes a natural outflow. Paul’s passion to preach the gospel among the Gentiles came from his deep awareness of God’s grace toward him. Similarly, when we’ve experienced the love of Christ, we want others to experience it too. It’s not about fulfilling an obligation or checking a box; it’s about sharing the joy of knowing Jesus. This is what motivates us to share the gospel authentically and passionately.
How it Changes Us
Grace transforms us—not just at salvation, but throughout our lives. As we grow in understanding God’s grace, it deepens our love and devotion to Him. Paul’s life was radically changed by grace, and so should ours. The gospel is not about rule-keeping or sin-management; it’s about a dynamic relationship with a living, transforming God. When we are truly changed by grace, it shows in how we live, love, and relate to others.
You Are the Argument
For a long time, I thought being an effective witness for Christ meant being an expert apologist. I believed I needed to memorize all the arguments for God’s existence and the resurrection of Jesus. But the truth is, the most persuasive argument for the gospel is not logic or reasoning—it’s you and me. Our lives are living testimonies of God’s grace. People don’t need to see flawless arguments—they need to see real, embodied Christianity. They need to see how the gospel transforms relationships, families, and lives. So be encouraged. You are one of the strongest arguments for the gospel, simply by being a walking example of God’s grace.
