Through the Bible - Isaiah 41-42, Colossiians 3:18-4:18
Good morning,
This year I've been reading through the Bible using the New Living Translation. There are times when the wording is very similar to the New King James Version that I'm more familiar with, other times they are quite different but convey the same general meaning. For today's verse we'll go to Colossians chapter 4 where we find one of those instances. In this case, I feel that the two of them combined "amplify" the meaning.
Col 4:5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. NLT
or from the NKJV
Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
In either case it begins with a solid base of understanding gained by knowledge of His Word and prayer, a subject covered in the opening verses of this chapter. It doesn't stop with knowledge and prayer, it involves our conversations and our actions. We need to think and live biblically which involves having a Christian 'worldview".
In the introduction to his book "Think Biblically", John MacArthur writes, "What is a worldview? A worldview comprises one's collection of presuppositions, convictions and values from which a person tries to understand and make sense out of the world and life. "A world view is a conceptual scheme by which we consciously or unconsciously place or fit everything we believe and by which we interpret and judge reality." A worldview is, first of all, an explanation and interpretation of the world and second, an application of this view to life."
What is your worldview? What is shaping it?
Having and applying a Christian worldview will not mean that we wont ruffle any feathers but our actions will be with grace, seasoned with salt as the NKJV points out. Through history, salt has been one of the most important compounds to civilization. Salt can ad flavor and it also acts as a preservative and it can sting if it comes in contact with a wound.
Having a biblical understanding and worldview, applying it to our lives and the lives of others with grace will have a positive and valuable result. It will be based on having the "right response" in all kinds of situations, right according to what we learn from the Bible, prayer and exemplified by the life of Jesus.
The following verse from yesterday's passage sums it up well.
Col 3:16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. NLT
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Col 4:2-7
An Encouragement for Prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. NLT
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