Colossians 1:9 That is why we keep on talking to God about you since the day we heard about you. We ask him that you may know everything he wants you to do. We ask him that you may be very wise and that the Spirit will help you to understand.
10 We ask him that you will live the way the Lord wants you to live, so that you will please him in everything you do. We ask that you will do everything that is good. We ask that you will see the fruit from what you do. We ask that you will know more and more about God.11 God has wonderful power. And we ask him to give you all the strength you need to go through all your troubles, to be very patient in them, and to be happy.
12 Thank the Father who has made us ready to be with the people of God who live in his light.
Day 18—Paul gives a closing admonition as we take our testimony to the world. |
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Nearly every one of us has communication with people of the world, many of whom do not know the Lord Jesus as their Savior. For this, he gives some practical exhortation that will cause our testimony to be believable.
Let us see now what he told the people of Colosse. His words to them will serve us well also as we see them in Colossians 4:5—
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
To walk in wisdom towards those who are withoutmeans being careful in all our conversation and business dealings with people of the world. Whatever involvement we might have with them should increase their desire to know the Lord. If they show prejudice or hostility against us, that is all the more reason for us to demonstrate toward them the grace and peace of the Lord. We should never enter into any communication with a person of the world that would give them reason to reject whatever testimony we might afterwards bear toward them.
It is also expedient that we live always as redeeming the time. This means taking every opportunity of doing good to others, whether they be of our faith or not. Paul gives a similar admonition in Ephesians 5:15 and 16, which we condense here: Walk circumspectly (live with care), redeeming the time, because the days are evil. It is important that we give careful heed to these words, most particularly as the perilous time of the end draws closer upon us. Days may soon become dangerous, with times of trouble and suffering. We should so walk and live among those who oppose us that it will not increase their opposition. Love is the greatest deterrent.
Paul tells us further: Let your speech be always with grace, suitable to our profession as believers. Matthew Henry said this about the speech of a believer: “Though it be not always of grace, it must be always with grace.” This gives us the answer as to how we ought to answer every man.
FATHER, it is my strong desire that my very life itself be a testimony to all who know me. If there are ways or habits in me that hinder my witness for You, then please work in me till I am free of the offense. Grant me the wisdom and the patience necessary for others to see Your grace and love through me. Work in our fellowship so that others who come among us might immediately sense your love.
—I Peter 3:15
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