Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. English Standard Version (ESV)
Today's verses begin with the statement "walk in wisdom", if this were in the psalms you might have a "selah" after that, which means to pause and think about that. The passage begins with a few words that help us to understand how to go about that. Verse 2 "pray diligently, stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude" . My devotional Bible has a note on this passage that "the gospel of God's grace fuels the Christian life in three ways, in prayer; in partnership; and purpose."
Notice also that the verse says that we are to be this way with "outsiders", those who are currently outside of the faith. It is a given that we are to act this way with fellow believer. Aside from outward appearance, our words are probably the first thing someone will notice about us. If it is full of venom, it will be noticed and it will be hard to change that first, lasting impression. Our speech should add, give flavor to and be beneficial as salt is to food.
In my devotional reading this morning I read Proverbs 11:3 which spoke of the integrity of the "upright". Walking in wisdom will also mean walking with integrity. Integrity is being the same person no matter where we are, whom we are with, wherever we are, it is about character. Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "The stand you make today will determine what kind of stand you will make tomorrow. Character is not some mystical thing that you have no say in. You decide what principles you will live by, what road you will take."
We're in this together, let's make the most of it, the best of it, "use our heads" (The Message) walking in wisdom, in prayer and in partnership with others.
Blessings,
Mike
Colossians 4:2-6The Message (MSG)
Pray for Open Doors
2-4 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com
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