"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM, TIME, THE LOST, AND OUR SPEECH"
Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/8/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
Again, we are in the practical, i.e how to live the christian life part of the letter to the Colossians. These two verses cover many areas of our lives, and have to do with daily areas of our lives. May these very words from God in these verses exhort you, comfort you, and encourage you to live your life in a way that brings honor and glory to your creator and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. We are to live wisely among those who are not yet saved.
Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
We are alive in Christ.
We are alive in this world.
We are surrounded by people who do not yet know Christ and need to, or they will perish forever.
God can and will give us wisdom as we live our lives.
He expects us and calls us to live our lives in a wise way among the unsaved.
Remember, God used Christians who were living wisely to affect you for salvation.
Now, the Lord wants to use you in the same way.
Your wise living is a powerful tool in the hands of God to reach the lost for Christ.
2. We are to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
Our time here on earth may seem long, but it's actually like a vapor.
Vapors appear ever so briefly, and then vanish away.
That's what our life is like, it's short.
However, what God says is for us to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
He is talking about being aware of those who are not yet saved, and seeking to be used of God for their sakes.
We have Jesus as our example.
He worked tirelessly to reach people because He loved them, and knew their fate apart from Him.
We ought to follow His example and pray for, look for, and use each opportunity to help others that comes our way.
3. We are to live our lives in a gracious way, so that we will have the right answer for any and everyone.
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Paul helps us here with some detailed how to type of instruction.
Our speech can be seasoned with salt.
Imagine that for a moment.
Your speech seasoned with salt.
Let's look again at the verse.
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
What he is saying is put this way in the NLT:
Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.”
We are to speak with grace. We are to live graciously.
We are to live in a way that is effective.
So that we can truly help give the right answers to those that need them.
Some Questions:
1. How aware are you of the unsaved around you?
2. Do you know that once you were in their shoes?
3. Can you imagine for a moment how God had planned to send people into your life to bring the good news of Jesus to you?
4. Have you considered that God wants to use your life to effect others with His saving grace?
5. Will you take a moment to re-read these two simple but powerful verses and ask God to help you live them out?
Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
A Prayer:
Father, we grow day by day more in love with You as we learn of You and experience Your work in our lives, and rejoice in the everlasting hope You have given to us in and through Jesus Christ. You have us here on earth for more reasons than we can imagine. Some of those reasons are in the verses we have looked at today. We want to say to You this morning, yes, Lord. Yes, we want to follow You and obey Your Word, and ask that You use our lives to bring blessing to others, and to bring glory to You. Your love for them is the exact same love You have for us. May we be sensitive to Your leading today, Lord, and be effective servants of God. In Jesus’ name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
