HOW THE WORLD SHOULD SEE THE CHURCH
Col. 4:5-6
Morning Meditation 11/15/2013
Verse 5-6 says, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Paul was very concerned about how outsiders saw the Church. Remember he is talking to the local Church and he is instructing them concerning their conduct with reference to those outside. I believe one would be hard pressed to make the primary application of this passage to those outside the family of God. A local church has a testimony in the community. Many times it is not good. If we do not have an influence with them, how will we reach them with the gospel? First of all, Paul instructs the Colossians on,
HOW TO WALK
The word “walk” translates “peripateo” and means, “to make due use of opportunities, to regulate one's life.” It is a present active imperative. It is talking about one’s on-going conduct. It is imperative mood which is a command expressing urgency. A tremendous degree of importance needs to be placed on Church members conduct toward those on the outside.
When a Christian is not a good neighbor to those who live near him, it brings reproach on the Church. Sometimes you have children that go beyond the limits of one’s own property and play in and mess up the neighbor’s yard. There is a fuss over it. Now how are you going to reach that person with the message of Christ? The Lord tells us how we are to treat our neighbor. Do we realize that the Bible is a practical book and one that does not just tell us about heaven and how to get there? You say, “Well, my neighbor is not going to run over me.” If you are not willing to suffer abuse, you will not live the Christian life. You are not going to find life to be fare. You’ll have to wait until you get to heaven. But in the meantime, the One who died for you needs followers who have His interest in mind who are willing to allow Him to live His life again on this earth through you.
Paul says, “walk in wisdom toward them that are without.” The word “wisdom” translates “sophia” and means, “the right application of knowledge to any given situation.” Let’s note the following about wisdom:
1.Wisdom is a gift of God to the inward man; Psalms 51:6, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”
2.It can be obtained in answer to prayer; James 1:5-6, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” The first step in getting wisdom is to recognize a lack. He says, “If any man lack wisdom.” The second step is to ask in faith, “let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally . . . but let him ask in faith nothing wavering.”
3..Wisdom will affect how you talk. Psalms 49:3, “My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.”
4.The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; Psalms 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
5.Fools despise wisdom; Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
6.God places a high price on wisdom; Proverbs 8:11, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
7.Wisdom is more likely to be found with the humble; Proverbs 11:2, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
8.The unwise think nothing of having a good time at the expense of another; Proverbs 15:21, “Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.” The word “folly” means “foolishness.”
These are just a few things that help us to understand what Paul is talking about when he uses the word “wisdom.”
The word “toward” translates “pros” and means, “to the advantage of.” The wisdom that God gives the believer is how to conduct himself to the advantage of those without. The believer should never compromise to win the unsaved. But if he will practice New Testament truths in his daily conduct God will use it to break down barriers that people have built against the Church. Now if you go out and impose your convictions upon an unsaved world you will discover that you will have NO INFLUENCE with them. If you go out and quietly live out your convictions without any criticism for those who do not believe the same way, it will give opportunity to witness. I believe Paul is saying that it is easier to win an admirer than it is someone who thinks you are a nut because all you can do is criticize. Paul says that we need to use wisdom to the advantage of those without.
The word “without” translates “exo” and means, “out of doors.” This same word is found in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” This verse is talking about “within” and “without” the local Church.
Many Churches have terrible influence. I remember one time witnessing to a grocery store owner in a small town. I had a real problem because I had members in my membership that did not pay their bills. They owed him money and wouldn’t pay. There are times when this happens the Church could just go pay the bill for the person. Maybe it is a hardship case and the man is doing all he can. But the fact is the unsaved world doesn’t understand a Christian who says he will pay and won’t for whatever reason. Then there are other times when the man could pay and won’t. The local church should confront that man and inform him that his conduct outside the church is improper and he will either change it or suffer discipline. And the person he owes needs to know about the action of the church so that he will know that this man’s conduct is not endorsed by the church. Paul is concerned how we act toward those who are without.
The words “redeeming the time” means “to make the most of every opportunity.” We need to live our lives out in a way they will count for Christ. I think it is sad when a person has been saved for years and on his death bed he begins to witness to everyone who comes in the room. But if you will check his service-record you will find that he is not regular in Church, does not support the church, and never witnesses to the unsaved. When his unsaved friends come to visit him on his death bed, they are very surprised that he is talking about “religion” as they call it. It is not what they have been used to hearing from him. I am very thankful that a person can get right with God on his death bed. That magnifies the grace of God. I’m not taking anything away from that. But wouldn’t it be better if the man who has been saved for years would have taken advantage of every opportunity to witness before this time in his life? I would surely rather meet the Lord after a life of witnessing. If you read these lines and you are in such a case as I am describing. God bless you. You cannot undo the past. God is good and will forgive your disinterest in His work and will restore you at this very point. Give it your best shot in the remainder of your time. Who knows, you may do more good in the next few days than others have in a life time. God’s grace is great. Next Paul instructs the Colossians on,
HOW TO TALK
Words are important. Harsh words spoken in anger have lingered in the memory of people for a lifetime. Paul says words are important. He says, “Let your speech be alway with grace . . .” The word “speech” means a word uttered by a living voice. The word “seasoned” is the first verb in the sentence. The word “Let” is an appeal for a decision. The language you use is a choice. So many Christians make a bad choice. Their language is course and blasphemous. What do the unsaved think when they hear someone who claims to be following Jesus use this kind of language?
The word “alway” translates “pantote” and means, “at all times, always, ever.” This means that the kind of speech that Paul is talking about here is the rule. This Christian shouldn’t have a Church language and a work language. Christians need a good godly vocabulary. I have to admit when I am frustrated and angered by something that the language that I used to use wants to come out. If it does, I have violated this verse. It is a sin that must be confessed. You don’t just say, “excuse my French.” That is not God’s way. I can just imagine someone asking, “Do you mean that the Lord tells us how to talk?” That is exactly what this verbally inspired verse of Scripture is saying. And if you have a problem with it, I want to encourage you to read and reread this portion of the meditation and open your Bible to this verse and ask the Lord to show you the truth.
Paul says, “Let your speech be alway with grace . . .” What does the word “grace” mean? The word “grace” translates “charis” and means, “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech.” You say, “I just tell it like it is. I don’t beat around the bush. That’s just how I am.” Well, the One who died for you is asking you to change. He didn’t write this verse for you to ignore. Do you love Him? Jesus says in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Then again in John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” We just need to get our love life straightened out with Jesus. We need to realize that He can and will make new people out of us if we are willing. I need to ask myself, “Does my speech afford joy and pleasure to those who hear?” Hey, I’m not talking down to you. I am getting older and the older you get the grouchier you have a tendency to become. Everything hurts! And you just can’t get people to behave like you want them to! But we are here to serve the LORD CHRIST no matter what age we are or background we have.
Paul says, “seasoned with salt.” The word “seasoned” translates “artuo” and means, “to season, make savory.” Salt makes a big difference in the taste of things. I believe that the “salt” here is speaking about the conduct of the Christian that is being lived in such a way as to make the Christian life have a good flavor. Godly living that does not condemn others (Jesus didn’t come to condemn; John 3:17) leaves a very good taste in the mouth of the unbeliever without.
The words “that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” suggest that if your life and speech are right, that you will know how to answer every man in every situation. The words “that ye may know” translates “eido” and means, “to see with the eyes.” It also means, “perceive by any of the senses.” It is a perfect infinitive. This means that at the point of need, if you do what Paul says, you will have learned and will know at the time how to answer every man. The word “ought” means there is a right way to answer and it is an obligation. The words “to answer” translates “apokrinomai” and means, “to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer.” There are a lot of questions that plague the human race. We as Christians have the Bible which gives answer. The secret of being able to answer is to WALK correctly and TALK correctly in life.
May the Lord incarnate these very truths in our lives.
God bless you.
In Christ
Earl White
