Pastor column: Walk wisely in this world

In Colossians 4, Paul says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity” (vs. 5). He tells us to walk wisely. How? By taking advantage of every opportunity to give a verbal witness for Jesus. Why should witnessing be a priority? For two reasons: (1) Our opportunity to see people come to Christ is now. The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation” (1 Corinthians 6:2). And (2) Our obligation to see people come to Christ is now! Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). How many times should God tell us something before we realize its importance? Only once! Yet multiple times we are told that we should be active in telling others about Jesus. Now is the time for us to obey.

Sadly, too many Christians emphasize the importance of their walk but deemphasize the importance of their talk. Let’s look at what Paul says about our verbal witness — walk wisely in this world and make the most of every opportunity to encourage others to come to Christ.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace” (vs. 6a). To have your speech be “full of grace” means that we encourage unbelievers to consider trusting in Jesus. Our words testify to the kind of relationship we have with Jesus and the kind of effect He has on our hearts. So how do we keep our words full of grace? Because we are people who desperately need grace, we should be people who lavishly give grace.

“Let your conversation be always … seasoned with salt” (vs. 6b). The most common use for salt is what Paul refers to here — for seasoning, so your food tastes better. Our speech should make unbelievers want to know more about the Lord. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him.” (Psalm 34:8). This call to “taste and see” means that salvation is much more than trying to keep rules, more than religious rituals. Salvation is a personal relationship with God that we receive by trusting in the Lord Jesus.

We must speak “so that you may know how to answer everyone” (vs. 6c). This points to the Lord’s parable of the soils (Matthew 13:18-23). He is speaking of how not everyone is at the same place with respect to readiness to receive the Gospel. Some are hard soil, others are rocky soil, others are thorny soil, and others are good soil. As we share the Gospel graciously, we can help move people along from being hard soil or rocky soil or thorny soil, to becoming good soil, who will receive the message.

What does your speech say about what you believe? Are you walking wisely in this world? Does your walk and talk present a compelling witness to your world that Jesus is your Lord and Savior?

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Walk wisely in this world and trust Christ