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.
People who do not know or care about the Bible use the phrase, “Walk the talk”, meaning practice what you preach, not knowing it is what Jesus says in Matthew 23:3. It may be surprising to learn that Paul says much the same thing to the Colossians. Richard Melick Jr. says, “At the beginning of the epistle, Paul prayed for the Colossians to know wisdom; here he prayed for them to live it.” He then moved on to teach the church how to talk; gracious and seasoned with salt. We know what salty language is but Paul means the opposite. Salt makes things more palatable. Each person who needs to hear the gospel needs to hear it in a certain way that will speak to them. It is the best use of the time.
My Logic students must know these three words on each test they take in class; gentleness, respect, and humility. Gentleness and respect are what Peter commands when we give an answer for the hope that we have in 1 Peter 3:15. Paul calls for humility in Philippians 2:3, counting others more significant than ourselves. With these attributes in us, we will not walk up to someone and simply say they are going to Hell. We will have a seasoned message of hope and love for them in word and deed. We need only make use of the time.
Dear Lord, thank you for the time you give us on earth and the times you give us to witness. May we make the best use of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church