DEVOTION – DAY 166

Colossians 4:5-6 “Be Intentional”

 

Col.4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

 

Since the apostle Paul was writing his letter to the Colossian Christians, the outsiders he was referring to in the above verses would be non-Christians. In these verses, Paul gave a useful piece of advice to Christians that is applicable today, as it was in his day. Every time Christians interact with non-Christians, it is an opportunity given by God for them to draw the non-Christians to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is an opportunity to share the gospel message with non-Christians. In order to prepare the way open to engage non-Christians in talking to them about Jesus, we need to use words that are intentional, words that show understanding and empathy with the person we are talking to. We also give them our listening ear. Only then, we will be able to address their concerns and their need for the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus modelled leading a conversation with grace, seasoned with salt when He was sitting by a well in Samaria when the sun was at its hottest. A Samaritan woman came along to draw water from the well. Jesus knew she had immediate needs for water, but He also knew she was thirsting spiritually, and only He could fill that spiritual thirst in her. Thus, Jesus engaged her in talking about water that would always satisfy and never run dry. Having secured her interest, Jesus next engaged her to talk about herself, and her background, and finally revealing that He was the Messiah, come to give her everlasting water that would fill her spiritual thirst. You can read this in John 4:4-26.

A woman went to her hairdressers. Whilst she was having her hair washed, she engaged the staff in a conversation by asking about her background, where she was from. She asked her what it was like to work at her job and what her hopes were. By doing so, she was able to place the staff at ease. She then asked the girl washing her hair what her religious beliefs were and then slowly started to share about Jesus and why everyone needs Jesus and that only Jesus can fill the deepest longings of our hearts. By the time her hair was done, she was able to lead the hair salon staff who did her hair to invite Jesus into her life as her personal Lord and Savior. This is one of the ways we can apply Col.4:5-6 in our daily lives.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunities and the privilege of sharing the gospel with unbelievers. Help us to be intentional with our conversations. Help us to be gracious and use words to impact the lives of others. In the mighty name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some daily situations that you come across where you can engage with unbelievers to draw them to think about Jesus?
  2. How can you intentionally steer the conversations with others towards spiritual matters? Discuss.
  3. What are some things we should not say that may antagonize people against Christianity? Share.
  4. What changes will you make to the way you engage with others in trying to lead them to Jesus Christ?