This is week 10 of our study of Colossians “Look Up! Living Below For Who Is Above!”
Introduction
A couple of weeks ago, we looked at how to be calm, cool, and collected from chapter 3, verses 12-17. We are skipping week 9 because it deals with marriage and raising children (a topic that was covered in our Ephesians series.) This week, we will see what it means to walk in wisdom.
How often have we found ourselves at a loss for words when the opportunity arises to say something about Jesus and what He means to us when we cross paths with someone who does not know Him?
In the following verses, Paul provides encouragement to us to not let those opportunities be wasted and how to walk in wisdom.
Message
Read Colossians 4:2-6
2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Verse 2 – Prayer undergirds how we walk in wisdom and it was the foundation of the Colossian church allowing it to prosper. Paul encouraged the Colossians to be vigilant and thankful and not to neglect prayer.
Note: “Devote yourselves” means “continue steadily” or “persevere,” implying strong determination and passion for prayer. “Being watchful” means “being spiritually awake or alert.
In order to devote ourselves to serious prayer, we must be alert to the many things that would distract us from this purpose. Often times, the pleasures and pressures of the world and the weakness of our own human nature are sources that can distract us as we attempt to pray. We must discipline ourselves to develop the kind of prayer life necessary for spiritual maturity.
Verse 3 – Opportunities are available almost on a daily basis to either be a witness for Jesus or to tell someone who He is and what He has done for us.
Paul was confident that God was directing his life and ministry by opening and shutting doors of opportunity and responsibility at just the right times.
Verses 5 and 6 – “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders….” Some translations say, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside.” And Paul goes on to say, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Another translation says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Our speech must be pleasant, encouraging, kind and gracious – worthy of being identified with Christ. We should set an example of goodness and decency for all who hear, and it should always speak the truth in love.
“Seasoned with salt” is conversation that is not “salty,” but rather conversation that is right for the occasion and wholesome. Like salt, our speech enhances and adds flavor in a spiritual sense giving people a thirst and appetite for God. Graceful speech, however, does not rule out stern words, when necessary to challenge and oppose the enemies of Jesus.
Concluding Remarks and Application
We have much to be thankful for, not only at Thanksgiving time but each and every day. Let us not be found taking God’s blessings for granted. And let us not be found in shrinking back when the opportunities arise when we can say a word about our Savior. We should not sit passively by and wait for a sign before we take action in serving Him. We should pray that there would be open doors of opportunity for us and recognize them. We should pray for boldness to step through open doors, trusting Him to help us make the most of every opportunity.
And let us always walk in the wisdom that is provided us through prayer and His Word as these opportunities arise. Then we will be able to say the right words at the right time.
