“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5-6
The Apostle Paul called for the believers at Colossae to watch their lives among unbelievers. He exhorted them to pay attention in two areas of their lives, which are visible to those who are not Christians. The first area was how they used their time and second, their words. Our time and words can have either a positive or negative impact upon those around us. Whether we know it or not nonbelievers/believers alike are watching our lives to see how we use them both. As believers, we need to remember two things:
1. Our time is a gift from God, use it wisely.
God has given us each day (time) as a gift of His grace. He does not owe us anything, nor does anyone earn this gift from Him. Time is a common grace given to all men. Jesus said, "Your Father makes it rain on the just and unjust" (Matt.5:45). God gives and takes away as He so chooses; this includes time. No one is guaranteed tomorrow nor the rest of today, as far as that goes. Therefore, we must make the most of our time...NOW! Ask yourself; How much time do you give to the things of God versus the things of this world? Do you spend more time on social media, television, or other entertainment than in prayer, Scripture reading, or evangelistic outreach? Do you make it a point to schedule the church's gatherings into your regular weekly schedule or do you forsake the assembly?
2. Our words are a gift from God, use them graciously.
I was asked by a group of young people this past week; If it was a sin to use curse (cuss) words? I quoted this verse from Colossians 4:6. Paul reminded the believers here at Colossae to watch how they used their speech. I also told these young people that using curse words often reveals that a person is unable to come up with other words to express themselves. As believers what we say, write, or type has an effect on others. The question is; do my words build up and point others to Christ or tear down and point them away from Christ? As believers, we must be "quick to hear and slow to speak (type or write)" James 1:19. We must ask ourselves before we speak/write/type; Will this build up others? Is Christ honored in my message? Will unbelievers hear the Words of Christ led by the Spirit or words of the world led by the flesh?
Therefore, as we engage outsiders today let them see us use our time wisely. This may mean reading your Bible while on break, rather than on your phone. It may mean not engaging in an off colored joke at the water cooler. Remember the world is watching us. So, may we use our time wisely and speak our words graciously. May God use us to accomplish His will through you today. SDG.
The Apostle Paul called for the believers at Colossae to watch their lives among unbelievers. He exhorted them to pay attention in two areas of their lives, which are visible to those who are not Christians. The first area was how they used their time and second, their words. Our time and words can have either a positive or negative impact upon those around us. Whether we know it or not nonbelievers/believers alike are watching our lives to see how we use them both. As believers, we need to remember two things:
1. Our time is a gift from God, use it wisely.
God has given us each day (time) as a gift of His grace. He does not owe us anything, nor does anyone earn this gift from Him. Time is a common grace given to all men. Jesus said, "Your Father makes it rain on the just and unjust" (Matt.5:45). God gives and takes away as He so chooses; this includes time. No one is guaranteed tomorrow nor the rest of today, as far as that goes. Therefore, we must make the most of our time...NOW! Ask yourself; How much time do you give to the things of God versus the things of this world? Do you spend more time on social media, television, or other entertainment than in prayer, Scripture reading, or evangelistic outreach? Do you make it a point to schedule the church's gatherings into your regular weekly schedule or do you forsake the assembly?
2. Our words are a gift from God, use them graciously.
I was asked by a group of young people this past week; If it was a sin to use curse (cuss) words? I quoted this verse from Colossians 4:6. Paul reminded the believers here at Colossae to watch how they used their speech. I also told these young people that using curse words often reveals that a person is unable to come up with other words to express themselves. As believers what we say, write, or type has an effect on others. The question is; do my words build up and point others to Christ or tear down and point them away from Christ? As believers, we must be "quick to hear and slow to speak (type or write)" James 1:19. We must ask ourselves before we speak/write/type; Will this build up others? Is Christ honored in my message? Will unbelievers hear the Words of Christ led by the Spirit or words of the world led by the flesh?
Therefore, as we engage outsiders today let them see us use our time wisely. This may mean reading your Bible while on break, rather than on your phone. It may mean not engaging in an off colored joke at the water cooler. Remember the world is watching us. So, may we use our time wisely and speak our words graciously. May God use us to accomplish His will through you today. SDG.
