VERSE OF THE DAY
Colossians 4:5-6 (New Living Translation)
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Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Live as you would within the presence of Christ live according to the biblical law of God’s rule even amongst the unsettled and non believers make the most of your opportunities and do as best let the behavior of your soul be the light for all others so that you response is great for all
What Does Colossians 4:5 Mean? ►
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
Colossians 4:5(NASB)
Verse Thoughts
Paul equips the saints to recognise false teaching and doctrines of demons by teaching the truth of the Gospel of God to the saints. He teaches of the exaltation and perfection of Christ, the deity and the sufficiency of Christ and the wisdom and glory of Christ. He teaches of our reconciliation by Christ, and our membership in the Body of Christ – and He details the importance of a believe’s prayer life and testimony for the Lord.
And Paul further teaches believers how to live godly lives, as is fitting for those that are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s sacrificial death and His glorious resurrection. We are to clothe ourselves with virtue and grace. We are to seek spiritual values and not seek after worldly trifles. We are to perfect our private, public, personal and prayer life, with joyful praise and grateful thanks – and we are to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities that we have.
Our life is to be the same in public as it is in private. We should not lower the godly standards that He expects from His children when we are in the company of those that do not believe – for although we are in the world, we are not part of the world – we are bought with a price, the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been made ministers of reconciliation.
Our behaviour should not be compromised when walking in the company of others, in our everyday lives.. and our desire and delight should be to share the good news of the gospel of grace, with all who cross our path.. but it should be done with clarity and. simplicity. As Christians we are called to conduct ourselves in godly wisdom, which is given us from above and to behave in a manner that is fitting for a child of God.
Let us remember that today is the day of salvation for many, and that we need to co
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/colossians-4-5
What Does Colossians 4:6 Mean? ►
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6(ISV)
Verse Thoughts
It was the Lord Jesus about Whom it was said, no man ever spoke like this man and it was the Lord Jesus who spoke in spirit and truth. Jesus only said what He heard the Father say and He only did as the Spirit of God instructed Him.
Some people think this showed that Christ was less than God. NEVER! He is co-equal with the Father and in every respect, but while on earth the Lord Jesus subjected Himself to the will of the Father. He did this to demonstrate that a man that who is subject to the Holy Spirit will walk and talk in accordance to the will of God.
The words of Christ were gracious and seasoned with salt. He spoke the truth in love but did not compromise His speech or language. Like Christ our speech should always be gracious and seasoned with salt.
Words that come out from our mouth have their source in the thoughts of our hearts. When our heart is properly focused on the Lord, in fellowship with the Father, and being led by the Spirit, our words will be gracious and seasoned with salt. The will be gracious words but truthful words. They will not be designed to embarrass or hurt, ridicule or humiliate others but will speak the truth in love.
We can never learn how to speak as unto the Lord by a 12-step programme designed by man; train ourselves to always say the right thing; try to copy the words that other people speak, or even parrot the words of the Lord Jesus Himself. But a life that is lived seeking the Lord with all their heart – a life that is submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit– a life lived with ears open to hear His Word and eyes open to see His truth will be a life that speaks the truth in love – with gracious speech and are seasoned with salt.
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/colossians-4-6
Representing Christ and the Stewardship of Time (Colossians 4:5)
by endofthematterupdated on August 26, 2018
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Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”
How are we to represent Christ every single day of our lives? Colossians 4:5 answers this question for us. We are to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of our time. If you look at the mission of Christ and what Jesus commanded His disciples, you can very easily conclude that His mission was toward others. As a child of God, this must be the same for you and me. Every person who is now part of the body of Christ and who are born in Him are to “shine the light” of Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:16 says “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.”
Many of us know that the world watches Christians very closely, and that they hold us to a high standard. Any failure in us is magnified and used to bring accusation. Well, according to Matthew 5:16, it tells us that this is actually Christ’s intention; that people recognize who we are by our actions. It must point to Christ. Christians are the only Bible a majority of the people ever look at. We don’t always need a running commentary to explain ourselves, rather it should be lived out and read by others. We are the doorkeepers to the way of life, not to block the way of others getting in. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
So, what does walking wisely toward others look like? We often declare to the unconverted and for that matter to those of the faith as well, declaring great hope and joy in your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that even under trials you are at peace and cheerful. When such a situation arrives in your life, do you fret under these circumstances? When we talk about patience, do you fret under the first provocation? We praise and worship God through prayer meetings and Sunday services declaring the need for holiness and glorifying God, but when you are out and about, the thoughts of your heart and the words of your mouth do not match what you declare? Many people turn away from Christ because of the inconsistency of Christians not practicing what they preach.
Instead you are to live a noble, godly life on the inside and the outside, this will be the most convincing of all sermons. The other way some try to win people to the kingdom is to become like the world and trying to win outsiders by compromising with them. People of this world do not expect us to live as they do, in fact this is the very reason they do not come to Christ. When we surrender our principles, the world notices and we are no different. Jesus says in John 17:16 “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” To draw people out of the pit of despair and death in sin, we must first have a firm, strong foothold in the Lord Jesus Christ or else the world will draw us in. The one who walks closest to Christ will be used most powerfully as a tool to draw people to God. That is why the Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:7 (in relation to overseers but also to be applied to every Christians life) saying “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”
So walk in a manner worthy of your calling, as the word says in 1 John 2:6 “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (NLT)” Know that the devil wants to keep outsiders from the gospel. Don’t be a tool for the devil by bringing reproach on the church’s message. Don’t be a fool for Christ, but a powerful tool that proclaims His name that many will give glory to your Father in heaven. Amen.
Now, how about your time. Are you making best use of your time? The word of God often shows us the importance of time while we are on this earth. Often times we read through scriptures various passages such as, “The day of salvation”, “the acceptable year of the Lord”, “an appointed time” etc. So, I want you to realize that this is the season and time for the work of the Lord to be done. Today is the the day, don’t leave it for tomorrow. Our master may return at any time and we need to be found working and not sleeping. Who knows what a day may bring forth. Are you to be found ready when the time comes? This time and the day of salvation is limited, use it wisely. Time passes away quickly and the little we have on hand is all that we have. Take time to reflect back on the time that you have already had in the past and you will soon realize that a large portion of our time has been lost.
When you were a child, much of it was possibly wasted in laziness, idleness and slothfulness. As you mature and grow older, much of your time is lost in pursuit of shadows. Some people misspend time because they have no proper object to engage their attention, others are quite at a loss what to make of themselves. Other loose time in delaying themselves and expecting what will never come. Learn from your past and move forward. Proverbs 15:21 says “Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead”. Now is the time for change. Start walking.
Take this time to reflect upon yourself and redeem your time. Do not misspend your time any longer, treasure the scraps of time that you have left. Now is the time, today is the day to use time rightly. Use your time now while it is yours. The past is only a memory and the future is an undivided inheritance, so this present time is the only moment that can be used. As you use wisdom in employing you time wisely it is also important to avoid the extremes of either overworking yourself, leading to burnout or on the other hand no work at all.
In conclusion, seek out time and do not merely wait for it. Use your time to benefit others in order that you represent Christ by being a shining light in this dark world. Be more faithful of the present time, “the now”, “the today”; because so much of the past has already gone to waste and the future is yet to come. Finally, daily examine your use of your time and if you are walking wisely toward outsiders? Determine if you are glorifying God in the way you represent Christ through your daily living and through the time you spend for God and in teaching, preaching, exhorting and reproving other. Go forth and be a shining light for Christ. Amen.
Colossians 4:5-6 Commentary
Updated: Mon, 02/03/2020 – 07:54 By admin
CHRIST IS ALL IN ALL
Click chart to enlarge
Charts from Jensen’s Survey of the NT – used by permission
Colossians Overview – Click Chart on right side
Christ
Preeminent in All Things
Supreme Lord – Sufficient Savior
Colossians 1
Colossians 2
Colossians 3
Colossians 4
Supremacy of
Christ
Submission to
Christ
Doctrinal
and Corrective
Practical
and Reassuring
What Christ
Did For Us
What Christ
Does Through Us
Christ
Our Lord
Christ
Our Life
Christ
our Love
Christ the
Head of the Body
Christ the Lord
of the Universe
Christ the
Head of the Home
Instruction
Warnings
Exhortations
Reminders
Reconciliation
Creation
Submission
Conversation
His Person
and Word
His Peace
and Presence
What does Colossians 4:5 mean?
Part of proclaiming the gospel and making it clear (Colossians 4:3–4) is found in the believer’s actions toward unbelievers. Two important principles are presented here. First, wisdom or discernment should be used regarding our actions—our “walk”—toward unbelievers. What we do and what we say must be consistent, over time, and with each other, in order to clearly present the message of Jesus.
Second, we are to make effective use of our time. Some translations interpret this phrase as “making the most of every opportunity.” Every moment of life is important and should be maximized in service to Christ. More than most, Paul was acutely aware of this, having been beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked over the course of his ministry. This perspective inspired Paul to boldly share faith in Jesus with unbelievers.
This is a fundamental part of the gospel message: time is short. Whether by accident, nature, or the return of Christ, each person can be face-to-face with God at any moment. Believers should be motivated by the knowledge that the people around us will die apart from Christ unless they hear and receive the gospel.
Context Summary
Colossians 4:2–6 completes the main substance of Paul’s letter. This passage starts with a request for personal prayer, then transitions into a command regarding how Christians speak. Paul uses the metaphor of salt. Salt, in Paul’s day, was valuable enough to be used as money, and was treasured for its ability to preserve and flavor foods. In the same way, a Christian’s speech should be helpful and valuable, ”flavored” differently from the speech of non-believers, and preserving the message of Christ.
Chapter Summary
The first verse of chapter 4 is actually the last thought from Paul’s prior comments about bondservants and masters. After this, Paul gives the Christian perspective on conversation. The way believers speak has a large impact on the effectiveness of our message. Paul then ends his letter with news and messages between various Christian ministers. Among these are names which Paul mentions again in other letters, such as Tychicus, Epaphras, Archippus, and Onesimus
Showing the Gospel – Together! Colossians 4:2-6
How many of you came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ without the aid of any other? I would argue that none of you did. But let’s suppose for the sake of argument that once upon a time, while staying in a hotel, you came across a Bible in the nightstand beside your bed. When you opened it you found the Roman Road printed on the inside cover. The Roman Road outlines the good news of salvation using verses taken entirely from Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Shutting off the TV, you read Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and realized for the first time that you were a sinner. Next, you read Romans 6:23, which says, “…the wages of sin is death,” and realized then and there that death would be the penalty for your sin. But then you read the rest of that verse which says, “…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” and realized that Jesus came to deal with death by offering you the gift of everlasting life. Next you read Romans 5:8, “God demonstrated his love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” and you realized that Christ died in your place, for your sin, as your substitute, paying the penalty for your transgression. After that you read Romans 10:9, “…if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
And in that moment, something stirred in your heart. You believed what you read and prayed the simple sinner’s prayer printed in the Bible: “Lord Jesus, I believe I’m a sinner who deserves to die an eternal death; but I believe you paid the price for my sin when you died in my place. And because of the resurrection, I believe you live to give me the gift of everlasting life. I’m sorry for my sin. I receive you as my Savior and will serve you as my Lord. Save me now and give me the gift of life eternal. Amen.”
Then and there, in that hotel room, you came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ without the aid of any other. Right? Not quite. The Apostle Paul was with you in that room. After all, he wrote the book of Romans. The Roman Christians were with you too. They cherished Paul’s letter and passed it down from one generation to the next. The early Church was by your side. She received the book of Romans, recognized its divine inspiration, and included it in the Bible we have today. John Wycliffe was near at hand. He was the first person to translate the Bible into English. Some unknown Christian was with you too. He or she put that Bible in your room and said a prayer that you would meet Jesus by reading its pages.
You see, you didn’t come to faith all by yourself without the aid of any other. In fact, none of us does. All of us come to Christ through the influence of others who share the gospel with us, pointing us to Jesus Christ. And that’s why we have an obligation to share the gospel, too. In the words of our Protestant purpose statement, “We are
embraced by God’s grace and live for his glory; growing in Christ, going in service, and showing the gospel – together!”
But how do we show the gospel in a military setting? Generally speaking, we are free to express our faith so long as we don’t undermine military readiness, unit cohesion, or good order and discipline. But how do we do that? How do we show the gospel in a way that doesn’t undermine readiness, cohesion, good order, or discipline?
I believe Paul points the way in Colossians 4:2-6. In this particular passage, he tells us how to share our faith in a military setting. You see, Paul wrote this passage while guarded by Roman soldiers in a Roman prison. In Colossians 4:3 Paul mentions his imprisonment and in Colossians 4:18 he says, “Remember my chains.” Nevertheless, despite his imprisonment, he shared the gospel with great success, showing the gospel to the soldiers who held him. In fact, he wrote the following about his imprisonment and sent it to the church at Philippi: “…what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, (Paul wrote), so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (Ph. 1:12-13)
Yes, Paul knew how to show the gospel in a military setting. So what can we learn from him about showing the gospel in our own setting? Well, in Colossians 4:2-6, Paul lays down three important principles for showing or sharing the gospel. First, he says we should talk to God before we talk to others. Second, he says we should walk the walk before we talk the talk. Third, he says we should spread the word before our lips fall forever silent.
First, if we want to show the gospel in this or any setting, we should speak to God before we speak to others. In Colossians 4:2-4, Paul says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.”
My friends, prayer is essential for success in sharing or showing the gospel. It’s essential because two important things happen when we pray. First, God prepares us to show the gospel and then God prepares others to receive it. Yes, as we pray, God prepares us to show the gospel. You see, when we pray, Christ rubs off on us and people are drawn to Christ through us because they see Christ in us!
It’s a little like this. Have you ever spent time with someone then walked away with their fragrance lingering on you? Perhaps it was their perfume. Perhaps it was their cologne. Perhaps it was the scent of their tobacco. My father smoked a pipe when I was young and to this day there’s a vanilla flavored tobacco scent that always makes me think of him.
Well the same thing happens to us whenever we pray. We come away from prayer covered with the fragrance of Jesus Christ. This is how Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians
2:14-16: “…thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one (we are) a fragrance from death to death (those are the ones who don’t like the aroma of Christ; and, as a consequence, turn away from him and die in their sin), (but) to the other (we are) a fragrance from life to life (those are the ones that are drawn to eternal life by the aroma of Christ that lingers on us).
So in prayer, God prepares us to show the gospel. And through prayer, God prepares others to receive it. That’s why Paul asked the Colossians to pray for him and his companions. In Colossians 4:3 Paul says, “pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.” (Col 4:3) Yes, our prayers open a door for the word and prepare others to receive the message of Jesus.
You see, Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me.” (Jn. 6:44) If the Father isn’t drawing a person to Christ then nothing we say will draw him. But if the Father is drawing a person to Christ, then we don’t have to be a Billy Graham to persuade him. All we need to do is show him the gospel and he will come. And prayer is how we participate in the preparation of his heart. Through prayer we ask God for an open door into his heart and for an open opportunity to reveal the message clearly.
So if we want to show the gospel in this or in any setting then we need to talk to God before we talk to others. Next, we need to walk the walk before we talk the talk. You see there’s nothing worse than a person who talks a lot about Christ but lives a life that’s an embarrassment to Christ.
I remember one officer who was the most vocally religious of any officer I ever met. He was always talking about Jesus. But he was prone to public fits of rage where he would curse in the vilest of fashion, often screaming as he did so. By his very behavior he completely discredited the faith he so vocally professed and seriously undermined the witness of every Christian in that command.
That’s why Paul says, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders.” (Col. 4:5) Or as some translations have it: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside.” Yes, we need to walk the walk before we talk the talk. We need to live lives that show Christ. We may not be perfect this side of heaven, but Christ needs to be seen in us and his fragrance needs to be on us.
Yes, we need to walk the walk before we talk the talk. Titus 2:7-8 says, “Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.” In a similar way, Peter reinforces this principle when he
writes: “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.” (1 Pe. 2:11-12) That’s just Peter’s way of telling us to walk the walk before we talk the talk!
Yes, if we want to show the gospel in this or in any setting then we need to talk to God before we talk to anyone; we need to walk the walk before we talk the talk; and finally, we need to spread the word before our lips fall forever silent. You see, life is short. We mustn’t waste it. We only have a few short days to show the gospel to our generation. We must seize the day before it slips away. That’s why Paul says, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” (Col. 4:5)
The phrase, “making the most of the time” is probably better translated as “redeeming or buying up every opportunity.” The original Greek paints an interesting picture. It’s the picture of someone buying something quickly before it slips away. You’ve had the experience of finding a great deal on something at the store and buying it quickly before someone else does or before the sale expires. I have vivid memories of going to Walmart at zero dark thirty on a Black Friday to purchase a game system that was on sale. I nearly ran to the back of the store, weaving in and out of an enormous crowd, grabbed the system, tucked it under my arm like a football, hustled through checkout, and rushed home with the score! Frightening! I’ll never do that again! But I didn’t want to let a great deal slip away. So I seized the day. I redeemed the time. I made the most of the opportunity before it was forever gone.
That’s what Paul is telling us here. We need to spread the word before our lips fall forever silent. Life is short. We mustn’t waste it. We only have a few short days to show the gospel to our own generation. And part of the process of showing the gospel is sharing the gospel message. It’s not enough to walk the walk. We have to talk the talk! That’s why Paul says, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:5-6)
You see, your life can support or undermine your message but it’s the message of Christ’s life and not the example of your life that brings people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:17 says, “…faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” So we must tell people about Christ and share his words with them so they can put their faith in him and receive salvation from him.
And if we walk the walk before we talk the talk then there will be ample opportunity to tell others about Jesus because they will be asking us about the differences they see in us. That’s why Paul says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:6) If you’re walking the walk, then you’ll get questions like these:
Why do you go to church so often?
I saw you praying before your meal. Why do you do that?
You sure read the Bible a lot. What does it have to say?
Why do you give so much money to Christian causes?
Why do you volunteer at the local mission?
Why do you teach Sunday School?
Why do you sing in the Chapel choir?
Why don’t you drink as much as the rest of us do when we go out on liberty?
Why won’t you go to that movie with us? It may be dirty but it’s not that bad.
The questions will be endless and the opportunities limitless. Does that mean we can only share our faith if people ask about it? Not really. Anytime anyone shares their opinion on a matter then we are free to share our faith-informed views so long as we do so in a way that doesn’t undermine military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, or discipline. Peer-to-peer sharing is almost always acceptable.
Senior-subordinate sharing is a bit more complex. As the senior in a military environment, you must safeguard everyone’s right to exercise their own religion. Although you are free to exercise your own faith you must do so in a way that doesn’t prefer your religion over other religions or over no religion at all. And you must be scrupulous to evaluate your subordinates strictly on their performance and not their religious preference. That said, you can always walk the walk, set the example, answer questions, share with peers, and, where appropriate, describe to subordinates how your own faith has helped you in life and leadership.
And how do you do that? How do you share the message? How do you talk the talk? Well Paul tells us right here. He says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” As used here, salt probably refers to the way it adds flavor to food, making it more palatable. When we share our faith, we need to do so in a way that is pleasing and palatable. People may be offended by the message of Jesus Christ. They may not want to be told that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. They may not want to be told that the wages of sin is death and eternal life is only found through faith in Jesus Christ. They may be offended by his ethical instruction because it often runs against the mores of our current culture. Yes, they may be offended by the message of Jesus. But they shouldn’t be offended by the way we present it. We should present it in a pleasing and palatable way…always gracious and seasoned with salt.
In the end, whenever we share our faith, we should make sure we treat everyone with dignity and respect – especially those who differ with us on religious grounds. In the words of 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV)
The other day a television commentator was talking about atheists. He said, “Atheists are upset because Christians have religious holidays and atheists don’t. Well let’s give them a holiday. I suggest April 1st!” He thought that was funny and the crowd roared with their approval. But that kind of speech is not gracious. It’s not seasoned with salt. It isn’t gentle and it doesn’t treat others with dignity and respect. May God help us to do better!
Friends, according to our new Protestant purpose statement, “We are embraced by God’s grace and live for his glory; growing in Christ, going in service, and showing the gospel – together!” May God help us to show the gospel more effectively by talking to God before we talk to others; by walking the walk before we talk the talk; and by spreading the word before our lips fall forever silent. Amen.
Living Water Ministries 