“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6
Paul is bringing his letter to the Colossian church to an end. He finishes with telling the people to be careful in the actions and their words with outsiders.
Outsiders are the people who are outside the church. They are the people who do not believe in Jesus. Every believer is to be careful in how they act around these outsiders.
Watching the news and seeing how some believers act with non-believers, it does not show much wisdom. Many believers will slam non-believers and cut them down continually. They will berate them for their sinful acts. They will ridicule them for their beliefs (such as belief in evolution). They will shun them and have absolutely nothing to do with them.
Jesus did not do this. He was accused of eating with the tax collectors and sinners.
As a believer you must seek out opportunities to be a witness for Jesus. Being a witness is more than just pointing out sins and pointing to Jesus. It is reaching out in love and caring for a person, helping them as you point them to Jesus.
When you speak to them, it should not just be words of condemnation. There should be a lot of grace with truth. The non-believer lives like he does because that is all he knows to live like. He does not know any other way to live. Show them the life God can provide. Show them the love and mercy God has.
The world will give you opportunities to tell them why you live like you do and believe like you do. Seek those opportunities. Be ready to answer them with the love and grace of God.
Your speaking should be like that of Jesus. When Jesus spoke to non-believers He was gentle and kind. When He spoke with those who claimed to believe, but did not serve God, He was very harsh.
Does your conversation with others match that of Jesus? God will give you wisdom if you ask for it. Be wise in your talking.
I pray today that God will give you opportunities to touch the lives of non-believers; that God will give you His wisdom in what to say and do; that your conversations will be like those of Jesus; and that God will draw many to Jesus through you.
So true, Tom. We all, believers and non, need to see love in action!
Amen. Thank you Sheila for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Tom… you are right. How we interact with other (especially non believers) is important. They watch how we life and talk. We need to be wise and careful. This writing is the good reminder for us. Thank you, Jesus blesses and loves you.
Thank you. May God receive all the glory.